I want to get back involved as soon as possible, whether that be a number two role somewhere or a manager again, says Ian Varley

AXED Rochester United manager Ian Varley says he wants to get back into management after his 46-day spell in charge of the struggling club.

The Rede Court Road club parted company with Varley on Monday 6 November 2017 but didn’t even announce the news on their website or social media channels.

It only came to light when Paul Gross and Darren Anslow turned up at Eden Park Avenue last Wednesday night, confirming that they were appointed joint-managers on 6 November, and took charge of their first game, losing 4-2 at Beckenham Town, before they suffered a 5-2 home defeat to Glebe yesterday.

The pair are now the club’s third management team of the season, after Matt Hume started the campaign in charge.

Rochester United are second-from-bottom in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with a playing record of a win and two draws from 14 league outings.

Hollands & Blair are rooted to the foot of the table with a miserable record of two draws from 15 league games, while Tunbridge Wells are in the bottom three with 14 points from as many games.

“I enjoyed it and still learnt a lot in my short time there.  Despite winning the first game it obviously didn’t go as I planned but that’s football and it didn’t quite work out on this occasion,” said Varley.

“It was always going to be a challenge.  I took over when they were bottom and 46 days later left them second from bottom, so that’s some progress, I guess.

“Look, it’s a results business and one win in eight games isn’t ideal and they just wanted a change, that’s all it was.

“It’s a good club with good people involved and hopefully they can stay in the division, which they are more than capable of.”

Varley left SCEFL First Division side Holmesdale to jump at the chance of managing at a higher level, albeit struggling club.

He was asked whether he regretted leaving Oakley Road. 

“Not at all, no. I always want to try and progress but on this occasion it didn’t work out,” he said.

“I’ve been a manager for 16 months now and already had the opportunity to manage in Step Six and Step Five, which will stand me in good stead for the future.

“I want to get back involved as soon as possible, whether that be a number two role somewhere or a manager again.  In the meantime, I’ll just be out watching games and keeping myself involved that way.”