ROD STRINGER has left Bishop's Stortford to take over at their National League South rivals Chelmsford City.
Stringer was offered the job on Monday after weeks of interviews carried out by Clarets chairman Trevor Smith.
With the club having secured fresh investment, Smith has put on record that the minimum expectation for next season is to make the play-offs.
In Stringer they have a man that has won the Conference South title, leading Braintree into Non-League's top flight in 2010-11 before leaving weeks later.
The former Aveley boss moved on to Bishop's Stortford in December 2011, successfully fighting against relegation from the Conference North before leading them 15th, 16th and 11th-placed finishes after their switch back South.
He was heavily linked with the Chelmsford job back in 2013 after Dean Holdsworth's departure but now chairman Smith has finally got his man. Stringer will have former West Ham and Manchester City coach Nick Haycock working as his assistant.
Smith told the club's website: “I am absolutely delighted Rod has accepted the offer to manage Chelmsford City.
“I have admired him as a manager for many years, he ticked all the boxes as far as I was concerned and in appointing Rod I feel we have a winner who will do his utmost to help the club achieve its ambitions.
“Alongside Nick Haycock we will have a team with the knowledge, experience and desire to win that can take this great club forward.”
Stringer replaces caretaker manager Kevin Maher at the Melbourne Stadium after he led the club to National League South safety.
Chairman Smith added: “The club will be eternally grateful to Kevin for his work and we wish him all the best for the future.”
