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John Coleman has left his position as Gillingham’s manager.
His departure after less than three months in charge comes with the League 2 Gills widely expected to name the departing Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth as his successor.
In a statement confirming his exit on Tuesday afternoon, Coleman said: “Jimmy (Bell, his No.2) and I arrived at Gillingham at a difficult time, knowing we would be here for a short time, but hoping we could turnaround performances and work-rate. We believe we achieved this, particularly in recent weeks.
“While the results haven’t reflected the performances given at times, we are pleased to leave the team more stable and having improved, both in attitude and application.
“We believe this has been vital in repairing the relationship between the team and the fans.
“We’ve really enjoyed working at Gillingham and wish everyone the very best moving forward.”
Coleman, the former Accrington Stanley and Rochdale manager, replaced Mark Bonner - who had started this season at the Priestfield helm before his sacking - in early January.
Unlike many bosses, Coleman certainly wasn’t afraid to publicly share what he had felt of Gillingham’s performances.
After a 2-1 home loss to Notts County, he said: “People will say ‘it's a spirited show, second half much better’ and yes we were much better second half but were they coasting? You don't know either way, do you?
“There was a little bit more effort, we played the game higher up the pitch, which is a big thing. But I'm not going to sugar-coat it and say it was a spirited performance. We were unlucky and all that.
“We didn't deserve anything from the game, I don't think, and I don’t think it would have needed much more to have got something out of the game.
“At this moment in time, we can't find any rhythm. We're not capable of building sustained attacks, keeping teams under sustained pressure.
“Fans did get behind us in the second half, as well, but we're not doing it anywhere near enough.
“We’re a soft touch.”
But the 62-year-old could only earn two wins from 14 games at the helm - one of those victories coming as he was left nursing a head injury in this month’s 1-0 win over Bradford.
While covering his eyes from the spring sun at Priestfield, Coleman couldn’t duck quick enough from a stray ball kicked out of play by Chelsea loanee striker Jimmy-Jay Morgan. It led to a gash on his forehead, which required medical treatment.
He said: “I was covering my eyes. I did bring my sunglasses and I thought, ‘You’re setting yourself up for a fall, aren't you?’ You get beaten, you're wearing sunglasses, thinking you've just walked out of Hollywood!
“I've not got the face or the figure for Hollywood, but you're setting yourself up for a fall, aren't you? I thought, I'll have to go without.
“As I'm doing that (covering his eyes), the ball's smashed me in the hands and I've gouged myself with my thumbnail.
“I might have to wear a plaster every week!”
Coleman’s last game at the Gills helm was a morale-boosting goalless home draw with leaders Walsall.
The club say a further announcement will be made on Tuesday evening.
