We will be working towards our targets, says newly-appointed FC Elmstead boss Marc Bentz

MARC BENTZ, the newly-appointed manager of FC Elmstead, says he is excited to be back in the hot-seat again.

Bentz has taken over from Fabio Rossi, who has moved upstairs to a general manager role, at the Southern Counties East Football League First Division club.

Bentz, who started this season third in command at AFC Croydon Athletic, has appointed Ricky Tompkins as his assistant manager and Rob Curtis comes in as coach.

“I’m very excited to be taking over at FC Elmstead and to be back in the management seat again,” said Bentz, who this time last year was Orpington’s manager.

“I had a really good time at AFC Croydon Athletic. It was nice having a step-back and focusing more on the coaching rather than the management side of things.

“Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough for me to do there, as they already had a solid management team and I wanted to have a bit more responsibility.

“I want to thank Kevin Rayner and Lloyd Groves for their support and the opportunity to work with them and I think they will do very well this season, as they have assembled a very good squad.”

FC Elmstead travel to Phoenix Sports Reserves tomorrow, sitting in 12^th place in the table, with a league playing record of three wins and a draw from their eight games.

“I am looking forward to meeting the players tomorrow and having the opportunity to work with them,” said Bentz.

“Fabio Rossi has been a great help this week in ensuring there is a good link between himself, the players and me, to make the transition run as smoothly as possible.

“He will still be involved and will be handing the reigns over to me.

“It’s important for the players to know that this is not a new manager taking over and bringing a team with him, the squad will remain the same and as a club we are trying to make the team stronger using the existing players rather than a complete re-build.

“Unfortunately, there has been some departures prior to me taking over and coupled with a few injuries it has left the squad a bit thin, so it will be a case of looking at who we have there at the moment and if we need to bring in any additional players in to support the squad.”

When asked about his management team, Bentz added: “Both bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience and I am delighted and look forward to be working with them both.  Additionally, I am looking for a goalkeeper coach to complete the team.”

Rossi set Bentz a target of qualifying for The FA Cup next season, by claiming 1.65 points per game and finishing in the top-eight.

Bentz said: “Fabio has already stated the targets set out for me this season so that is what we will be working towards.

“This, of course, starts tomorrow against Phoenix Sports Reserves, which I believe will be a tough test as the only teams they have lost to so far this term are in the top six.”

Phoenix Sports  v  FC Elmstead
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 23^rd September 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayplace Ground, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, Kent DA7 6JT