John Still wants to go out with a bang after declaring Hakan Hayrettin ready for the top job at Maidstone.

Still will leave his role as head of football at the end of the season but has already handed control to head coach Hayrettin.

The players were told at Monday’s training session but Still isn’t looking to go quietly, with Maidstone fighting for a National League South play-off place.

They have 10 games to get in the top seven, starting with Eastbourne away this Saturday and a rearranged game at Billericay on Tuesday.

“I pointed out that I want to go out with a bang,” said Still, 69, who is leaving to spend more time with his family after wife Barbara’s health struggles.

“We’ve got a run of games against teams below us and if we win them, we can put ourselves right back in it.

“That’s the challenge. It would be an unbelievable way to go.

“I said to them, I want to go out on a high, I’m not going to go out on a whimper.

“I’m telling you, if you think you’re going to get any leeway here, seriously, I’m bang on your case, all of you. Standards have got to be met.”

Still, who won the first of a record three Conference titles with Maidstone in 1989, always saw Hayrettin as his successor.

He’s confident the former Wycombe midfielder is the man to take United forward.

“Hak’s ready,” said Still. “He’s his own man, he’s got to do it how he wants but I’ve worked with him for so long I can read him like a book and he can read me.

"He’ll be fine, I’ve got no doubt whatsoever.

“I don’t think there’ll be much change and I’m sure he’s still going to ask my opinion.

“In the last couple of months it’s got to the point where he says what do you think about this or that, and I go you tell me what you think and if I disagree I’ll tell you but make your own mind up.

"If I feel that strongly about something I’ll say but sometimes people have got to do it their way and it not work for them to know it won’t work.

“I’ve said to him, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, we all make mistakes. The key is don’t make the same mistakes.

“I’ve loved the last 18 months working with him. Hak’s played for me and he’s been one of my coaches at Luton.

“I know his strengths, I know his weaknesses, I know how hard he works. It’s a great opportunity for him and even though I won’t be there next season, I’ll be behind him.

“He needs to bring someone in to work with next season and we’ve already spoken about that. That process is under way.”

• Still to leave Stones

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