Dover Athletic part company with boss Andy Hessenthaler by mutual consent so he can return to Gillingham as head of recruitment

DOVER ATHLETIC have confirmed the departure of manager Andy Hessenthaler.

The 57-year-old former Gillingham midfielder and manager has departed Crabble by mutual consent after his contract was cancelled by the sixth-tier club and has returned to Priestfield Stadium as their head of recruitment as the club fight to retain their League status.

Hessenthaler returned to Crabble for a second time 15 games into the 2018-19 season on 8 October 2018, following the departure of Chris Kinnear, who hasn't had a mangerial job since.

The former Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Eastleigh manager was in charge of 307 games (in two spells), where Dover Athletic won 138, drew 58 and lost 111 games under his tenure.

Neil Harris' Gills' are sitting at the foot of the League Two table with 14 points from their 23 games, five points adrift of safety.

Gillingham have also appointed Kenny Jackett as director of football today.

Dover Athletic sit in fifteenth-place in the Vanarama National League South table, having collected seven wins and seven draws from their 23 league games.

Mitch Brundle and Mike Sandmann will take joint interim charge of Dover Athletic for the next few games, starting with Saturday’s trip to bottom-of-the-table side Hungerford Town.

Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter told the club website: “Andy has given terrific service to the club and assisted me in navigating some very difficult times.

“I wish to place on record our gratitude for his efforts, understanding and hard work during his time at the club.

“He is a man of integrity and decency and I am sure he will be successful in his next role.

“We remain good friends and Hess will be welcome at Crabble at any time.”

Dover Athletic are on a four match winless streak and put in a poor performance against Paul Barnes’ Dulwich Hamlet during their 2-1 home defeat on New Years’ Day, having played out a 1-1 draw against the same opposition at Champion Hill on Boxing Day.

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com