Gillingham have sacked manager Steve Evans in the wake of yesterday’s 4-0 defeat by the Blues at the Priestfield Stadium.

The loss left the Kent side third bottom of the table with the most recent of their three wins this season having come back in October.

A statement on the Gills official website reads: “Gillingham Football Club can confirm that the contract of manager Steve Evans has been terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect.

“The club wishes to thank Steve for all his efforts over the past two years in circumstances that have been significantly more difficult and challenging due to the Covid pandemic, and wishes him well in the future.

“His assistant, Paul Raynor, will also be leaving the club. The search for a new head coach/manager will begin immediately.”

Following yesterday’s game, assistant Raynor admitted the Gills had been well off the pace in the first half in particular.

“For 45 minutes we weren’t at the races and didn’t track runners. When you do that against good teams with good players, they punish you,” he told the Gills official website.

“Their manager has gone in there and got a real reaction from them. They played with intensity and quality and moved the ball very quickly. When teams do that, you have to be disciplined.

“You can’t get done by one-twos down the side and then get overloads in the wide areas and don’t track runners in the middle of the goal. That’s just basic football.

“There are no excuses. It was ill-discipline and people not doing their jobs. We weren’t defensively sound and you don’t need to give teams like Ipswich a helping hand.”

Photo: Action Images

RegencyBlue added 16:24 - Jan 9 I suppose I should feel sorry for him, but I don't!
17

HighgateBlue added 16:26 - Jan 9 McKenna's achievements just keep piling up!
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warksonwater added 16:31 - Jan 9 Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. The only reason Gillingham weren't top of the league was that every single refereeing decision went against them...
11

BeattiesBackPocket added 16:31 - Jan 9 It's never nice to see some manager get the sack however in his case I can't help but find it amusing the guys been an absolute helmet when it comes to his comments in games against us. 👋🏼
16

SickParrot added 16:32 - Jan 9 Can't feel sorry for him. He's is a foul mouthed, bad mannered, bully and football would be better off without him
19

roystevensonsrocket added 16:34 - Jan 9 Paul Cooks next job ?
9

ArnieM added 16:37 - Jan 9 Lol
3

warksonwater added 16:39 - Jan 9 roystevensonsrocket: or Keane, Jewell, McCarthy, Hurst, Lambert...?
3

ScottCandage added 16:39 - Jan 9 Whatever about Steve Evans, but THIS is my takeaway from this story: “For 45 minutes we weren't at the races and didn't track runners. When you do that against good teams with good players, they punish you,” he told the Gills official website. “Their manager has gone in there and got a real reaction from them. They played with intensity and quality and moved the ball very quickly. When teams do that, you have to be disciplined. “You can't get done by one-twos down the side and then get overloads in the wide areas and don't track runners in the middle of the goal. That's just basic football. “There are no excuses. It was ill-discipline and people not doing their jobs. We weren't defensively sound and you don't need to give teams like Ipswich a helping hand.” THIS WAS US A MONTH AGO!!!! WE were the ones getting done by one-twos and we weren't tracking runners. SO MANY TEAMS exploited us for years. AND NOW WE'RE DOING THE EXPLOITING!!!

9

BlueandTruesince82 added 16:47 - Jan 9 How will he afford to fix the holes in his shoes now
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:49 - Jan 9 I'm trying not to make a vindictive comment, but it's very hard! -:) Let's just leave it at, "What goes round comes round!"
5

Bert added 16:57 - Jan 9 I think he may need to work very hard on his inter personal skills at interview.
5

Reecex28 added 17:01 - Jan 9 During yesterday's chant of 'You're getting sacked in the morning'" I thought it funny to sing "Your getting salad in the morning". I still find it funny. Never nice to see someone sacked but happy to make exception in his case.
5

Suffolkboy added 17:04 - Jan 9 No sympathy ,but he wanted away ; and he was on to a hiding to nothing with Gills ,difficult circumstances , small squad , COVID , little if any money and a bit of a Scrooge of an owner with a half decent brain ! Maybe he'll now do sweetie ads on TV ! COYB
5

Saxonblue74 added 17:13 - Jan 9 Surely that's his last job in football? Can you imagine hearing he's going to be the next manager of your team? Wouldn't wish him on anyone.....apart from Naaaridge.
5

Monkey_Blue added 17:20 - Jan 9 A route back into football for a certain bald scouser?
6

northants added 17:35 - Jan 9 If getting spanked by ipswich is a sackable offence now, there will be few worried managers over the next two or three months I think!!!
6

Blue_Fred added 17:37 - Jan 9 Asst manager in post game interview “Their manager has gone in there and got a real reaction from them.” Gills owner … I hear you!
3

KernewekBlue added 18:01 - Jan 9 Steve Evans... not the sharpest tool in the box but definitely a tool! This made my day. I know I shouldn't revel in someone else's misfortunes and generally, I don't, but he is one of the most detestable characters in the game and I hope I never have to hear his droning voice or set eyes on his gurning fizzog ever again. As people have already mentioned, just imagine him being named as your club's next manager... Jeeeeeeeeez Louise!

6

Blue56 added 18:14 - Jan 9 Probably the most obnoxious manager in todays football.
5

istanblue added 18:51 - Jan 9 Lots of comfort eating in the Evans household tonight no doubt
3

ringwoodblue added 18:51 - Jan 9 Pie shops in Gillingham will be concerned about a massive drop in sales that will result from this departure. Would love to see Paul Cook be appointed as his replacement just so we can play the team he assembled against him and stuff the Gills off the park again. Sorry, am I being churlish?
5

jas0999 added 19:16 - Jan 9 Good. Deserved.
2

fifeblue added 19:53 - Jan 9 Irrespective of what you think of Steve Evans, nobody should be gloating over the fact that he has lost his job. It may have been unwise to post this news on TWTD when it is predictable that there would be the kind of messages posted above. This sort of thing should be beneath us. Don't forget that lots of people in the game read these boards and I would not want this to be representative of anything or anyone to do with Ipswich Town. We are better than that. Gillingham are struggling this season and regardless of the circumstances, they have decided to make a change in their coaching staff. That's all there is to it. Respect, people.

7

IpswichToon added 20:10 - Jan 9 How poetic
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