Gillingham FC Manager to have cardiac surgery
Gareth Ainsworth is taking time away to have a routine procedure
Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth's announced he's stepping away from the club for a short period of time.
He's undergoing planned cardiac surgery.
The announcement was made on the club's website.
In his absence, Gareth’s long term Assistant, Richard Dobson, will take the reins of first team affairs. Richard has worked alongside Gareth throughout his whole managerial career at Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury.
Gareth said: "I went for the LMA health check in May and they found something with my heart. I’ve got to have heart surgery this week. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a routine thing they do.
“This has all been planned. Get behind Dobbo and the team, they will be stepping up. I’ll be off for a few weeks, and then I’ll be back.”
Brad Galinson said: “We’ve known for many weeks about Gareth’s upcoming surgery. In typical Gareth style, he was deliberating about the best time to have it, but Shannon and I were concerned about only one thing – Gareth getting the surgery as early as possible. His health alone is the priority here, so it was not a conversation as far as we were concerned.
“When we appointed the best manager in League Two back in March, we also felt we were getting the best Assistant Manager in the league, so we have no doubt the team is in safe hands in Gareth’s absence. We ask now that the fans, as they always do, get right behind the boys and Dobbo.”