Searle stands in at Fleet

By Jon Couch

WINNERS: Dennis Kutrieb celebrates winning the league title with striker Dom Poleon

PICTURE: Dave Plumb

DANNY SEARLE has been handed a route back into English football with Ebbsfleet United following the departure of head coach Dennis Kutrieb.

Searle, the former Aldershot Town, Braintree and Waterford manager, has been installed as interim boss at Stonebridge Road after Kutrieb was relieved of his duties following last Saturday’s defeat at Oxford City, along with assistant Chris Franks.

The pair led Fleet to the National League South title by 20 clear points last season following a record-breaking campaign which saw them accumulate 103 points and score 110 goals.

Many expected Fleet to kick on again this term but the progress has somewhat stagnated since with the club languishing in the top-flight’s bottom four.

“Such decisions are never easy to make, especially off the back of such a remarkable and record-breaking previous season,” a club statement read.

“But the status of the football club must always take priority and be foremost when making these big decisions.

“Unfortunately, our form and results in 2023/24 have not reflected the sheer hard work and determination with which Dennis and Chris have approached every single minute of their time at Ebbsfleet United and the club has reached the difficult decision to part ways.”

Searle, 45, managed in the National League with Aldershot and has most recently been assistant head coach at FC Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic – a role he left for personal reasons just a fortnight ago.

Prior to that he was in charge of League Of Ireland First Division side Waterford, who he guided to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup and to the promotion/relegation playoff final before being sacked just five games into the start of the new season.