John Still is to leave Maidstone at the end of the season - with Hakan Hayrettin taking over as manager.

The handover begins now with head of football Still taking a back seat in the final two months of the National League South season.

That will allow Hayrettin to find his feet as the No.1 while still being able to draw on the huge experience of his big friend and mentor before Still, who looks likely to retire, says goodbye to the Stones for the second time.

United legend Still led Maidstone to the Conference title and promotion to the Football League in 1989 during his first spell in charge.

It was the first of a record three Conference titles for the 69-year-old who also led Dagenham and Luton to glory, as well as taking the Daggers up to League 1 via play-off success at Wembley.

He agreed to return in a head of football role in January last year on the proviso he could bring Hayrettin in as his head coach.

The plan was always to push more responsibility Hayrettin's way although the handover has come earlier than expected with 10 games of the National South season to go.

Still said: "When I agreed to come back, I wanted Hak to be part of that and to eventually pass the baton to him.

"Maidstone was always unfinished business for me and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to come in and renew my association with the club.

“While this time was never going to compete with my first spell here, I hope that along with the owners, Bill (Williams), Hak and Ryan (Gordon, coach), we’ve put things in place that will eventually get the club back up a division and push on from there.

"I might have been the first to take Maidstone into the Football League but if everyone pulls in the same direction, I certainly won’t be the last.”

Hayrettin played under Still at Dagenham and was his first-team coach when Luton won the Conference in 2014.

He's tasked with trying to get United into the play-offs this season.

He said: "I am grateful to John for bringing me here last January and grateful to the club for the opportunity to take it into next season.

“Working with John over the years has been an immense privilege. There aren’t many in this game that command the respect that he does. If I can achieve just a fraction of what he has, then I’ll be a proud man.

“I am very aware of the expectations of this club and I’ll promise you one thing – I will give my all for the cause and so will the team I surround myself with.”

Stones chief executive Bill Williams was instrumental in bringing Still back to Maidstone in January last year as the club turned to experience following Harry Wheeler's short reign.

Williams said: "If, as I suspect, this is John’s last hurrah in football management, I am very glad it was with us.

"To have had the benefit of his experience, knowledge and knowhow will stand us in good stead in the months ahead.

“While I’ve known John more years than either of us care to remember, Hakan was a new prospect but over the last 15 months I’ve got to see his desire, passion and work ethic and it’s those traits I’ve come to admire and respect, and I will give him every ounce of support I possibly can.”

Stones co-owner Oliver Ash says it's time to look forward after confirming Hayrettin's appointment for next season.

Ash also confirmed the club will stick with daytime training, resisting calls from some fans to revert to evenings.

"John brought us much needed experience and stability," said Ash.

"We thank him for that and he will always have our affection and respect. Now it’s time to look ahead, finish this season strongly and plan for next season.

“We have decided to give Hakan the opportunity to take over and lead us into next season.

"The aim is to reinforce our squad and take us higher, as well as to work with our academy and under-23s to bring young, local talent through wherever possible.

“We have also been considering our training schedules. After much reflection we have decided to stick to daytime training.

"We feel on balance it will be less disruptive, should allow us to attract strong players to the club given a reasonable budget and we should be better prepared for promotion back to the National League as and when.”

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