Hayrettin buoyant after Maidstone axe
HAKAN HAYRETTIN says he leaves a proud man with memories he made at Maidstone United.
The 52-year-old guided the Stones to the National League South title last season but was sacked on Monday following last week's defeat to York City that leaves them in the relegation zone.
His departure came ahead of the club announcing owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey have accepted an offer to sell a controlling interest in the club to local businessman and lifelong supporter Alan Manchett.
His company Manchett Group have been a business partner at the club for two seasons and, according to a club statement, is “committed to helping the club attempt to avoid relegation from the National League this season'.
Hayrettin met with Manchett and admits he expected to be staying on only to be delivered with bad news.
“I was told one thing and something else happened,” Hayrettin, who became head coach with John Still in 2019 and took over as manager in March 2020, said. “This was my fourth season and I've had the most amazing time.
Opportunity
“I got involved with the community and the supporters and as a community viable business, you could see since I'd gone in there – with (assistant) Terry Harris – the crowds had gone up. So we had that strong link with the community.
“Unfortunately this year it was tough. Obviously finance wasn't at the level, which we knew about, but the injuries…every manager can use that as an excuse but it really did kill us. Financially it was difficult because we could not compete in the market to get the players we wanted and, because we had injuries as well, it was really tough.
“I just think with the investment coming in and, given the opportunity, we could have done a lot more because we know the level.
“I think it was harsh. I talked to him (Manchett), he told me about a fiveyear plan and that changed within a day-and-a-half.
“But, listen, I've got no complaints. No one can take away the fact we were champions. We did it on half the budget on other teams competing to get out of that league.
“It is what it is. We just weren't given time to finish the job we started, especial- ly now a new investor is coming in.”
Hayrettin was the National League South manager of the year as the Stones fought off strong competition last season to return to Non-League's top flight by winning the title.
Achievement
“I've had hundreds of messages from supporters wishing me nothing but success because they think what we did was an amazing feat,” Hayrettin, who has given his medal to a young fan, said.
“I won't say anything about anybody. But what I am going to say is I achieved what many wouldn't. I am greatly proud of that achievement and no one will ever take that away from me.
“I just felt, ‘Now is the time, I am going be given a little bit of a push and a little bit of help'. Is it right someone else gets that investment now? I don't know. I don't know. But good luck to them – we have a lot to offer ourselves and we've proven that.”
Hayrettin says he is ready for his next challenge as soon as the right one presents itself.
George Elokobi is in caretaker charge as Stones supporters turn attention to their next boss. Names on their lips include Cray Wanderers' Neil Smith along with former boss, and club legend, Jay Saunders, who is also in a job at Tonbridge Angels.
Hornchurch's Mark Stimson boasts Non-League success and led the Urchins to FA Trophy glory in 2021, while Gavin Rose is out of the dugout after leaving Dulwich Hamlet, as is former Eastleigh boss Ben Strevens.
