COLCHESTER United promotion winner George Elokobi has taken caretaker charge at National League side Maidstone United.

Elokobi, who was part of the U's League One promotion-winning squad in the 2005-06 season, has been placed in temporary charge of the Stones after they parted company with manager Hakan Hayrettin.

The former U's fans favourite's first game in caretaker charge will be Maidstone's FA Trophy match at Notts County, on Sunday.

The club say they will be working to identify and appoint a new management team 'as soon as practicable'.

 

Elokobi, who clocked up nearly 100 appearances for Colchester in his two spells for the club, announced his retirement as a player in May, 2022.

He helped Maidstone clinch promotion from National League South last season and had been combining his playing duties with coaching.

Hayrettin has left Maidstone after a poor run of results.

The former Braintree Town boss joined the Stones as head coach in January 2019 and took over as manager in March, 2020.

Gazette:

In a statement, Maidstone chief executive Bill Williams said: “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.”