Shame that but it was clear to all that he was more of a tracksuit man than shirt and tie man. Good luck to him with whatever venture he decides to take on next. Also Kent Online has stated in their article about Hess that Patto left due to a backroom staff reshuffle. http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/Hessenthaler-leaves-Gills-406/
It may be controversial but I am glad Hess is going. Club legend yes but as manager he was found wanting but no doubt gave his best. However what on earth was he doing as Director of Football, when in his own words wanted to be back on the training ground? He took the easy option in staying at the club, in a tokenistic role which offered nothing and was just a drain on the resources.
It is sad that he has gone but it is for the best as he wanted to leave (with no disrespect to the club) but he wanted to become a manager again and I understand that and expected he would be gone at the end of this season.
Just seen on the BBC site he has been let go. cannot blame him for wanting to get involved at shop floor level again after what has been a great season. Might even be a bit of a kick in the teeth after two failed seasons, to get Gills promoted to see someone else do it straight away and champions. We all know what he has done for the club, and thank him , now I would like to wish him Good Luck in the future. THANK YOU ANDY
I've not said anything on this topic but this is probably closest to my thoughts... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22463884 If I had a direct opinion on something that is he should have kicked Rooney's backside round the corridors of Priestfield. I seriously would have done. Big mistake that young lad made in his decisions but sometimes you need a figure head for direction, an agent or a parent is not the ideal guidance when it comes to sharing professional experience.
Sorry I just don't buy it, this is nothing but self publication by Hess, trying to sell himself in an attempt to land a job. There is no doubt that the money has been a big help to Allen but it wasn't as if Hess was not heavily backed by Scally, he had plenty of backing to sign so pretty big name players, Lee, Whelpdale, Kedwell et al. But of course it isn't all about the money, Hess lacked the tactical nous to get the best out of his players case in point look at Fish and Martin so improved under Allen and looked like completely different players compared to the season before. Ok maybe Hess could have got us promoted this season but I am sure we only would scrapped a playoff place.
That and the fact that he always seems to forget that keeping players fit might actually be important.
keeping players fit is easier when you have the money to have fitness coaches and the kind of staff we have this season. I doubt MA does much personally in the way of keeping the players fit, he presumably delegates to James Russell. Also - a fair few of the injuries last year weren't reoccurances, or poor fitness, but new ones - charlie lee and Tomlin seemed to keep getting injuries all over their body. Tomlin had a hamstring injury, came back against Oxford and got clattered on his ankle. Richards broke a leg getting stamped on by McLeod. You cant really plan for stuff like that. A couple of bad impact injuries in the middle of this season and it might have been different. Personally I think we would've gone up this year with Hess, but probably hovering top 3 rather than champions.
I suppose this is the point where I should be arguing the debate with you, however, you make your viewpoint well. I think Hessy had proven he has the ability to lay the foundations and even cement the building blocks of construction. Yet he needed (I was going to say roofer) a plasterer to come in and finish the job. Hence meaning MAdDog had to finish a job Hess could not but how good a plasterer is MA, permanent fix or will the cracks show through in the next couple of seasons. You know where I am going with this...Youth?
I loved Hess as a player - it will be a long time before we get another player with his level of passion, but he wasn't ruthless enough as a manager (of Gillingham FC). His tactics cost us promotion a couple of seasons ago - in the middle of which we lost 6 games in a row ( 1 cup ). Hess kept saying that heads would roll - but left it too late. When he made those changes (enforced by injuries), the replacements ( King, Essam & Evans amongst others ) went 7 games with only one loss. Incredibly Hess then reinstalled the 'original, failing players. We then secured only 13 points out of 30 available from the last 10 games of the season. I hate to criticise such a wonderful servant as Hess ( as a player ) - but he needed some of the ruthless nature that has now disappeared from Salford! Nevertheless - Good Luck Hess.
Bearing in mind all of this then, would Hess be a better as a First Team Coach or Assistant Manager at a Football League side, or a manager for a non-league side? Back-to-Back promotions for Dover and nearly had a third one in a row there. Not good enough for league level but has a brilliant eye for talent. I've heard him being linked for the Barnet job too.
