Gillingham axe boss Justin Edinburgh: This is obviously a difficult decision to begin 2017 with, admits chairman Paul Scally

GILLINGHAM have confirmed that manager Justin Edinburgh has had his contract terminated with immediate effect this morning.

The club are in seventeenth-place in the Sky Bet League One league table after 25 games, with a playing record of eight wins, six draws and 11 defeats.  They are eight points clear of the relegation zone after suffering back-to-back defeats, 2-1 at Millwall last Friday night and a 1-0 defeat at home to Oxford United yesterday.

The Priestfield Stadium club have also confirmed that Edinburgh’s assistant David Kerslake and coach Wayne Hartswell have also been relieved of their duties.

Paul Scally issued a statement on www.gillinghamfootballclub.com.

“Having returned to work yesterday, this is obviously a difficult decision to begin 2017 with,” said the chairman.

"I have been very keen to work with Justin and his coaching staff, I have become close friends with them over the past two years, and that is what makes this decision even harder. I have great respect for them and everything they have done for the club.

"I'd like to express my gratitude to Justin for his efforts; he has tried extremely hard to turn things around. However, the form over the past 12 months has not been as good as expected, and yesterday's defeat was the final straw.

"Nonetheless, Justin is a manager of great ability, and I have no doubt he will go far in football."

Gillingham say that they will not be commenting further at this stage, or who will be in charge of their next game, away to bottom-of-the-table Oldham Athletic on Saturday, 14 January 2017.

Edinburgh was appointed manager in February 2015 after leaving Newport County and won 40 of his 102 games in charge.

Visit Gillingham’s website: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com