Former Carlisle United manager Keith Millen is back in the hotseat.

The ex-Blues boss has been appointed interim manager at League Two club Gillingham.

It follows the Kent club's decision to sack manager Neil Harris.

Millen, United's boss for a short-lived spell in the 2021/22 season, has been head of academy coaching at Priestfield since April.

The 57-year-old now takes temporary charge of the side who sit eighth in League Two.

Harris's departure was confirmed today, two days after the Gills' 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra, a game in which Carlisle-born Joe White scored his first professional goal for the home side.

It ends the 20-month reign of the former Millwall and Cardiff City manager, who guided Gillingham to fourth-tier safety last season after the takeover by American businessman Brad Galinson.

News and Star: Neil HarrisNeil Harris (Image: Richard Parkes)

The club said they want to go "in a different direction" and are seeking to appoint a head coach rather than a manager.

In a statement, Gillingham said:

Gillingham Football Club has today decided to part company with Manager Neil Harris, who has been in charge at Priestfield for just over 20 months.

Having joined the Club in February of 2022, Neil nearly kept the team in League One, getting relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference, making up a 10-point deficit in the process.

The club has decided it now wishes to go in a different direction and will begin the process of identifying a Head Coach to take the team forward.

David Livermore will also be leaving the club.

In the meantime, Keith Millen will take control of first-team matters on an interim basis with immediate effect.

The club wishes Neil and David best wishes in the future and we thank them for their hard work over the past two seasons.

Millen, the former Crystal Palace coach and Bristol City manager, was in charge at Carlisle from October 2021 to February 2022.

But he took charge of just 17 league and five cup games before a 3-0 home defeat to Swindon Town heralded his departure - and the return of Paul Simpson to transform Carlisle's fortunes.

Millen's first game at the temporary Gillingham helm comes at home to MK Dons on Saturday.