National League club Maidstone United have announced they have parted ways with promotion-winning manager Hakan Hayrettin following a bad run of form.
Hayrettin's departure comes after seven losses on the bounce in all competitions.
That brings an end to his four-year stay with the club, having joined the Stones in January 2019, before being appointed manager in March 2020.
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Champions of the South
After managerial spells with the likes of Waltham Forest (now Walthamstow), Thurrock (dissolved), Grays Athletic and Braintree Town, Hayrettin took on the challenge at Maidstone in early 2020.
The 52-year-old joined the club when they were struggling in mid-table of National League South. However, his appointment saw coronavirus come into play at a similar time and pause the league for a while.
With the final standings based on points per game, the Stones missed out on a playoff place, finishing 9th.
The next season, Hayrettin's first full campaign at the helm, started brightly, as they went on a positive streak which saw their first loss come in gameweek eight.
Throughout a record-breaking season for the Kent outfit, they went 14 games unbeaten as well as tallying eight straight wins on a separate occasion.
Falling to defeat just seven times in 2021/22, Maidstone confirmed their return to the Vanarama National League with two games to spare after a three-year absence, winning the South title.
The unforgettable moments when the Stones players lifted the trophy to celebrate their success marked the most notable point of Hayrettin's tenure, as his side marched on to the fifth tier of English football.
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Dreams to downfall
A first season back in the National League saw the newly-promoted team picked up four points out of a possible first six.
However, that was far from the storyline for what was to continue.
Heavy losses to Wrexham and Dorking lowered spirits, but the two wins over fellow Southern opponents were just a rare run of form.
Fast forward to January 2023, and Maidstone have won just two of their last 23 fixtures in all competitions. Seven consecutive losses only add to Stones' fans disappointment.
Their latest result came as a further downer - a 4-1 defeat to York City now leaves Maidstone 23rd in the league.
That would be the last game Hakan Hayrettin would oversee as manager, with the club announcing, "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," CEO Bill Williams added.
“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 club's former captain, George Elokobi, has been placed in interim charge, and will be on the touchline for Saturday's Isuzu FA Trophy fixture away at Notts County.
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Hayrettin's thoughts
Following his sacking, Hayrettin spoke to local press KentOnline to give his final thoughts.
He told all on the manner of which he was dismissed by co-owner Terry Casey: “It was a short and sharp meeting,” said Hayrettin.
“Terry said it wasn’t good news. I said, ‘Come on, let’s get it over with’.
"I tried my best with what I had - I made a couple of mistakes with signings, but the injuries we had killed me," the ex-Maidstone gaffer admitted.
“I love the club and I had a great working relationship with Terry Casey. He’s been my biggest ally.
“Every year, people said I should have been sacked. They've got their wish now.
“I feel like I’ve been stitched up. We delivered what we set out to do, which was to get the club back in the National League - that was the fourth title I’ve won as a manager or coach.
“I’ve learned some big lessons. Maybe I was too loyal. It’s good to be loyal but it hasn’t paid off for me.
“No one at the club expected me to win the league last season. There you go. That’s football."