Mark Bonner named Manager of EFL League Two's Gillingham FC
- Bonner took an unconventional route into professional football management
- The 38-year-old won Cambridge United promotion to League One for the first time since 2002 during his time in charge
Experienced coach and Football Careers client Mark Bonner has been appointed manager of League Two side Gillingham FC.
Bonner has taken an unconventional path into professional football management. Having never played professionally, the 38-year-old built his career from the ground up, initially starting as an academy coach at Cambridge United in 2002, followed by a six-year stint at Southend United. Bonner then returned to Cambridge United in 2011 and worked a number of roles in the club’s academy, before being named as a first team coach in 2018.
In the same year Bonner became Cambrige United’s assistant manager, before taking temporary charge of the club’s first team following Joe Dunner’s dismissal.
Bonner resumed his role as assistant manager when Colin Calderwood was appointed as manager a month later but following Calderwood’s departure in January 2020, Bonner once again assumed the role of interim manager, and following a successful run of results, the 38-year-old was given the job on a full-time basis.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bonner did not take charge of his first game as permanent head coach of the club for six months. However, in his first full season, the Cambridge-born manager earned his side promotion to League One for the first time since 2002.
After a hugely successful spell at the club, Bonner left Cambridge United in 2023 and has now been appointed as manager of Gillingham FC.
Here at Football Careers we congratulate Mark on his recent appointment and wish him all the best for next season.