Maidstone United part company with boss Hakan Hayrettin

MAIDSTONE UNITED have parted company with manager Hakan Hayrettin today.

The club are languishing in the bottom two in the Vanarama National League table, having collected 21 points (five wins, six draws) from their 27 games and are three points adrift of safety.

Relegated side Oldham Athletic are just outside the drop zone, which currently contains Gateshead (22 points from 25 games), Torquay United (22 points from 26), Maidstone United and relegated side Scunthorpe United (19 points from 26).

Hayrettin, 52, joined the club as head coach in January 2019 and took over as manager in March 2020, winning promotion back into the top-flight of non-league football after winning the National League South title last season.

The Enfield-born Hayrettin has previously managed Waltham Forest, Thurrock, Grays Athletic and Braintree Town.

Chief Executive Bill Williams said in a statement: “We have made the difficult decision to part company with Hakan and his assistant Terry Harris, following the recent run of results.

“These decisions are never easy and the board felt the time was right to make this change now – with just under half the season remaining – to give us an opportunity to retain our National League status.

“On behalf of the owners, directors and all staff involved with Maidstone United, we would like to express our thanks to Hak and Terry for all their time, effort and guidance while they’ve been at the club.”

The Stones suffered a 4-1 defeat at York City at the weekend and have now lost their last six league games on the bounce.

Former club captain, Cameroon born George Elokobi, 36, will be in caretaker charge of the team, starting with Sunday’s trip to Notts County in The FA Trophy Fourth Round.

The midfielder made 69 appearances for the club in a three-year stay in Kent before announcing his retirement at the end of last season.

Elokobi has previously played for Dulwich Hamlet, Colchester United, Chester City (loan), Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest (loan), Bristol City (loan), Oldham Athletic, Braintree Town (loan), Leyton Orient, Aldershot Town and the Stones.

“The club will be working to identify and appoint a new management team as soon as practicable,” added the statement, which was posted on the club website.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk