Gillingham chairman Paul Scally won't be panicked into appointing a new manager

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:03, 09 October 2017

Gills chairman Paul Scally doesn’t feel the need to rush into appointing a new manager.

Ady Pennock left by mutual consent two weeks ago and Mr Scally has already interviewed several potential candidates.

Names in the frame include Cambridge United boss Shaun Derry and Mansfield manager Steve Evans, who was approached last week.

Gills chairman Paul Scally Picture: Ady Kerry

Director of football Peter Taylor has been holding the fort in the interim and he looks set to remain in charge for the trip to Peterborough next weekend.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of Sunday's game with Portsmouth, Mr Scally said: “It is always difficult when you have to make a management change but on this occasion I am not having to be rushed into anything.

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“I know the team is in very safe hands with Peter Taylor, Steve Lovell, Mark Patterson and Glen Johnson.”

Evans, who is reportedly on a decent budget with League 2 Mansfield, said that he was “flattered” by the interest but the 54-year-old was concentrating on his own job.

He said: “You can never stop clubs wanting to approach you, whatever the level. It’s part and parcel of the business we’re in.

“Gillingham are a good club with a good chairman. I was in talks once with Gillingham at a previous stage of my career to go and join them but it never happened. But my full focus is on Mansfield Town.”

Derry, who has been replaced as bookies’ favourite by Evans, continued to bat away the speculation, without ruling himself out.

Ahead of the weekend, he said: “Rumours are circulating but I don’t deal in rumours, I deal in fact. It’s part of the game now. There’s always constant speculation and rumour mills flying around.

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“I’m the manager of Cambridge United until I’m told otherwise.”

Previous manager Martin Allen and former No.2 under Andy Hessenthaler, Ian Hendon, are also believed to be keen on landing the job at Priestfield.

Mr Scally said: “I am meeting potential candidates for the manager’s job on a daily basis.

“I am aware of the names that have been circulating but I don’t expect there to be an announcement for at least another week.”