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Manager Mark Stimson says he is ready to lead Gillingham back to League 1, despite their relegation to League 2

Mark Stimson is surrounded by reporters after Gillingham's relegation
Mark Stimson is surrounded by reporters after Gillingham's relegation

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is surrounded by reporters following his side's relegation after a 3-0 defeat at Wycombe on Saturday

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson insists he’s up for the challenge of guiding the club back into League 1.

"I never duck a challenge," he said. "The squad does need changing whatever division and there are certain personnel who are not up to it.

"We’ve relied on players this year who couldn’t get into our League 2 team and sooner or later you get found out.

"They’ve been good players in their time and I’m sure they will go on and get a career elsewhere. The only way forward is to regroup and fingers crossed I’m in charge but that’s going to be up to the chairman.

"Whatever he says I’ll take it on board because he is a man. He certainly has the club at heart and will make the right decision for the football club I’m sure."

Stimson's future will be decided at a meeting with Mr Scally, but the Gills boss says that while he has made mistakes, he has learnt from them.

He said: "I thought we would have had more about us this year. We gambled a lot on potential and that’s what I will learn from it.

"Maybe take two or three out with potential and go and get an old senior one maybe to do as good a job. I’ve learned from that but sometimes budgets guide you that way. Sometimes you need three players instead of one incase players get injured."

It was Stimson’s second relegation as Gills boss. His first year in charge ended with a drop into League 2 after inheriting a team of players from the Ronnie Jepson era, but this time around it was his set of players.

He added: "It hurts a hell of a lot more – especially after the way we played.

"There are one or two careers who could drop, possibly like my own now, obviously because of this situation."

Do you think Stimson should remain Gillingham manager? Can he lead them back to League 1? Have your say below.

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