League Two favourites Gillingham have announced that Gareth Ainsworth will be away from the club for planned cardiac surgery.
The 52-year-old was in the dugout on Saturday as a 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town ended the Gills’ unbeaten start to the season.
Ainsworth left Shrewsbury to take charge of Gillingham, who were a division below at the timeGettyStephen Duke-McKenna’s first-half strike was enough to give the League Two strugglers an unlikely victory at Priestfield Stadium.
Less than 24 hours later, Gillingham have confirmed that the loss was their manager’s final match in the dugout for several weeks.
The Kent-based outfit revealed in a statement that Ainsworth will undergo a planned medical procedure.
He will have heart surgery to correct an issue flagged up during routine tests carried out as part of the LMA’s health checks.
During his absence, Ainsworth will hand over the reins of Gillingham’s first-team affairs to his long-term assistant, Richard Dobson.
The pair have worked alongside each other throughout Ainsworth’s whole managerial career at Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury Town.
Ainsworth makes statement about planned surgery
The retired midfielder told Gillingham’s website: “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.”
Gillingham are now near the top of League Two, while Shrewsbury languish in the relegation zoneGettyGillingham’s form under Ainsworth
Since taking charge in March, Ainsworth has transformed Gillingham’s fortunes from mid-table obscurity into League Two contenders.
The Englishman has overseen a club-record unbeaten run of 21 games, which only came to an end by Saturday’s loss to Harrogate.
Ainsworth was recently named League Two Manager of the Month for August after guiding Gillingham to the top of the table.
The Gills surrendered their place at the summit to Walsall and Swindon Town following their first league defeat to Harrogate.
However, the club are confident of a response in their next match – away to MK Dons – with their number two, Dobson, at the helm.
Ainsworth will be away from Priestfield for a short period of time for heart surgeryGettyAinsworth to have planned medical procedure
Gillingham chairman 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.”
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