National League side Southend United have denied Gillingham the chance to talk to head coach Kevin Maher, according to Echo News.
The Gills have been searching for a new manager at Priestfield following the departure of Neil Harris on October 5th. According to the report, Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin has refused the Kent club the opportunity to speak to Maher about filling their managerial vacancy.
A club spokesperson said to the Echo: “The club can confirm that it has refused Gillingham permission to speak with Kevin.
“Kevin, supported by Darren, Mark and John are doing a brilliant job, for which everyone at the club is grateful.
“We are on a journey and they are all an important part of it.”
Maher has been at Roots Hall for two years, and has had to contend with a number of obstacles, including an ongoing transfer embargo and a 10 point deduction at the beginning of the season.
The Ilford-born manager played for both Southend and Gillingham during his playing career, including captaining the Shrimpers to two successive promotions to League One and the Championship.
The southerners are currently in 14th place in the National League and are six points away from the play-off places after 18 matches. They are on a seven-game unbeaten run, ahead of two tough clashes against Altrincham and current league leaders Chesterfield.
Gillingham are sat in eighth place in the League Two table and have picked up two wins and four losses since dismissing the 46-year-old Harris. Harris had led the Gills to the top of League Two at the start of the campaign, but a lack of goals and attacking prowess led the club to make the decision to part company.
Writer’s View
Southend United chair Ron Martin sees Kevin Maher as the man to lead the club back to the EFL, so it’s obvious why he has rejected any approach from Gillingham. With an impending takeover on the horizon for the Shrimpers, having the stability of Maher is imperative in the short term for the club to get back into the fourth tier. A club legend in Essex, don’t expect to see the 47-year-old moving away any time soon, although a huge opportunity from a strong League Two side may sway him if he is seeking a new challenge.
Gillingham must find a manager – and very quickly – if they want to keep in the hunt for promotion this season. Their search for Neil Harris’ successor has become a nightmare, haemorrhaging points to clubs they should beat.
If it comes down to the finest of margins come May, will Gills fans look to this period as the reason why they are stuck in League Two next season? Maher may be the right man for the job, but it looks unlikely he is leaving Roots Hall any time soon.
