Gillingham chairman Brad Galinson has commented for the first time following Neil Harris’ sacking.

In a brief message to supporters on social media X he commented on what a tough morning it had been, having told Harris of the club’s decision to terminate his position as manager.

Galinson has often spoken of his fondness of Harris, as a person, and reiterated that in his message.

He wrote: “The team, Neil, Kenny, myself had a hard morning. Neil was one of the first “Brits” I met in December.

“He remains one of the highest quality individuals I have ever met. He is a friend above all. The team must evolve and it will. Thank you, Neil ❤️”

The timing of the announcement came two days before Gillingham’s home game against MK Dons where victory at Priestfield could have seen the club end the weekend second in the table.

Mr Galinson was asked at a pre-season fans’ forum about why he stuck with Harris following relegation and the troubles of last season, with the team struggling before the January investment.

He said: “He is the kind of person I want working in my organisation, he’s a gentleman, he’s honest, he’s transparent, he’s an honourable guy.

“In the UK, sacking managers is much more frequent and common than sacking managers in the United States. The last thing we do is sack a manager, we do everything but that.

“In my mind, culturally, it was never a true debate, he was the man to take us forward.

“Getting Kenny (Jackett) and Andy Hessenthaler here as well (as director of football and head of recruitment), those three guys together are just ultimate professionals and they got it right in January. They fixed it.

“We talk of the club as a sleeping giant, it just needed a bit of resources, a bit of expertise and then it goes where it naturally needs to go.”

The Gills made a super start to the season, winning their opening four games to make the early running in League 2.

Manager Neil Harris had spent the summer trying to play down the hype surrounding the club as he knew there would be hiccups. That start didn’t help but defeats did start to come along.

A 3-0 home loss against Colchester United came during a poor 20-minute spell in the second half.

Galinson tweeted afterwards: “Heads up! If it wasn’t for the highs and lows, English football wouldn’t be the best thing going on the planet. Small bump in the road. Can’t make it look too easy. 😉”

Defeat at Grimsby followed but back-to-back wins over Harrogate and Morecambe sent the Gills back to the top of the table.

Since then, however, just one point from the last three saw them drop to eighth, albeit still four points off top spot.

Following their last match at home, a 1-1 draw with Mansfield, Galinson had his whole family with him and posted on X: “Priestfield was full of sunshine, food, drinks, mates, families, and all the things that make Saturday at 3pm so special; the boys getting better and better, coming together and enjoying being on the pitch; and my son Mac Galinson is fully hooked on Gills.”

Two weeks later and the Gills will return to Priestfield with an interim boss in charge and now looking for a new head coach as they look for a “change of direction.”

The Gills have put Keith Millen, the club’s head of academy coaching, in charge of team affairs while they seek a new head coach, rather than a ‘manager’.

A Thursday morning statement said: “The Club has decided it now wishes to go in a different direction and will begin the process of identifying a Head Coach to take the team forward.”

Millen was brought in as part of the club’s off-field restructure, that also saw Kenny Jackett come in as director of football and Andy Hessenthaler head of recruitment.

It’s Harris and his assistant David Livermore who have departed. Harris spoke to the Gillingham players on Thursday morning in the changing room to tell them of the club’s decision.

Millen took training on Thursday before facing the press ahead of the Gills’ game against MK Dons on Saturday.