Head Coach Adrian Pennock has left Gillingham by mutual consent after less than a year in charge.

Pennock was brought in to replace Justin Edinburgh, but a poor run of form last season and again this has led to him leaving Priestfield.

The 3-0 loss to Rochdale on Saturday was the final nail in the coffin for Pennock who has been under pressure for a number of weeks.

Sitting in the League One relegation zone, The Gills have won just once in the league so far this season and the loss at the weekend prompted the club to act.

The club issued the following statement on Monday morning:

“Ady Pennock has left Gillingham Football Club by mutual consent.”

“The Head Coach, along with Jamie Day, have both left their roles at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.”

“The club would like to thank both Ady and Jamie for their services and we wish them well for the future.”

“Chairman Paul Scally will release a statement later today.”

Pennock and Day never really managed to get the best from a squad they inherited from Edinburgh and despite wholesale changes in the summer, they failed to get their season going.

At 46 years old, Pennock was brought in with the hope of reigniting the passion at Priestfield having played for the club between 1996 and 2003, but that never really happened.

Management experience at Welling United and Forest Green Rovers saw Pennock in high regard in the non league game, but despite more experience at Stoke City under Tony Pulis, the former central defender never lived up to high expectations in Medway.

Pennock won just six of his 32 games in charge at Priestfield and it is expected that Steve Lovell will take charge of Tuesday night’s game against Scunthorpe United.

There have been rumours that former Newcastle United star Nolberto Solano and Ian Hendon were being lined up to replace Pennock and that may now become a reality.