Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth looks ahead to their home game against Tranmere Rovers this Saturday and a parting conversation with chairman Brad Galinson

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth said he got the thumbs up from the chairman after his return to America this week.

Brad Galinson had been over from the States in the last few weeks, overseeing a transfer window that saw three new recruits arrive, while results on the pitch have been mixed.

The Gills ended a nine-game winless run with back-to-back victories over the bottom two sides, then lost heavily at home to leaders Bromley and suffered a narrow loss on Tuesday night, a result that sent victors Notts County second in the table.

Gillingham could still make a charge for the play-offs this season, but Ainsworth has a two-year remit after taking charge and that remains key to his thinking.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s home game against Tranmere, he said: “I spoke with Brad Galinson, who's gone back to the States, but he's coming back over at some stage this season. He was saying, ‘Look, absolutely fine’.

“There's a remit. Obviously, at the end of the 2026-27 season, we know where we want to be, but we're on track. There are signs that we are.

“We have grown as a team and grown as a club. I'm happy with that. It's definitely something that I'm proud of.

“Everybody in football wants it yesterday. They all want promotion. They all want to be top of the league. That's football in general. Any club, not just Gillingham. I understand that.

“I'm lucky I've got a knowledgeable bunch of fans. I've got a steady set of players. I think they all know that this long-term plan is something that I'm buying into and I want to make sure it happens.”

He added: “I still think we're in a really good place. There's 18 games to go.

“The squad I've got is capable of beating anyone in the league. We've proved that in the second half of games