Gillingham manager Mark Bonner grateful he can tap into knowledge of club’s director of football Kenny Jackett and head of recruitment Andy Hessenthaler - should he need to

Gillingham manager Mark Bonner is relishing the challenge coming from within the club.

The target this season is clear and Bonner will have the experienced figure of Kenny Jackett looking on.

Jackett, the club’s director of football, and head of recruitment, Andy Hessenthaler, have an abundance of experience to offer but Bonner will be backing his own judgement.

He said: “I am really clear what I want and know how I go about it and how to manage people, but experience is really important so when I have got two guys there who have managed 1,500 games between them, they are certainly good people to have in the club.

“They won’t be watching our games at weekends because they will be out watching others but they will always watch them back and having someone there who you can pick their brains will be really useful for me.

“Fundamentally their number one role is to help with the recruitment side and Kenny [is] overseeing everything. He is the boss I need to make sure I try and keep happy. At the same time, he is someone who can challenge me firstly, which is really important. You don’t want everyone just agreeing with you.

“Challenging me is really key but also for me to pick his brains every now and again will be good.

“I like the fact that we have a really dynamic team and I look forward to seeing what that brings.”

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Bonner’s backroom team haven’t got the same years of experience as Jackett and club legend Hessenthaler, but assistant boss Anthony Hayes and coach Pete Gill have plenty of enthusiasm and determination.

Bonner said: “That experience helps but what you want is good people first and good coaches second, they are the main things you’re looking for.

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