Gillingham FC are seeking a new youth team manager after Joe Dunne announced his departure after just over a year in the job

Gillingham are looking for a new youth team manager after Joe Dunne’s decision to move on.

Dunne has been in the job since November 2024 but says he has an opportunity elsewhere.

Gillingham are advertising Dunne’s position, which combines being the under-18 manager and professional development phase coach.

Dunne, speaking to the club, said the Gills job would be a “great challenge for anybody" but has decided take up a new role himself.

He said: “A new opportunity has presented itself. It's another opportunity for me to learn about younger players at a different level and how to understand how they work, and how they play.

"It's very tough, having been here for over a year at a place I have complete admiration for and I have seen how hard people work here.

“I have seen how honest people are here; I have seen ownership at a very high level who want so much for the club - I see that from the inside.”

He added that the successful applicant - who must be a UEFA A licence level coach - will be “inheriting an academy where the principles of hard work, honesty and understanding the badge you play for is very important.”

He praised academy manager Bryan Bill for his “understanding of what it takes for players to make the first-team” and Mark Patterson, the club’s head of coaching, who he said “is again experienced and understands how to help the coaches.”

The Gills under-18s play in the Youth Alliance League South where they currently sit ninth in the table.

Dunne said: “I have become very attached to the players. I am an emotional coach and I have made some fantastic connections with the group.

“They are great lads. I have tried to bring understanding of what the club means, what the divisions means and the work ethic and