fbpx
Connect with us

Dover Athletic

Dover part company with their manager as contract gets cancelled – new interim boss named

Dover Athletic part company with their manager Andy Hessenthaler with his contract cancelled – and a new interim boss has been named.

It’s the end of the road for his time in charge, as he departs with the side sitting 15th in National League South (sixth tier), with five points above the drop zone and have taken 28 points from 23 games for the 2022/23 season so far.

KentOnline report that Hessenthaler is being linked with a return to League Two side Gillingham in a recruitment role having previously been a director of football when Martin Allen was in charge going on to win the League Two title back in 2013.

CLUB STATEMENT

Dover Athletic Football Club can today confirm the departure of manager Andy Hessenthaler, who leaves the club by mutual consent after his contract was cancelled, with immediate effect.

Hessenthaler returned to Crabble for a second time 15 games into the 2018/19 campaign following the departure of Chris Kinnear.

Mitch Brundle and Mike Sandmann will take joint interim charge of the team for the next few games, starting at Hungerford Town on Saturday, whilst we consider a more permanent structure for the future.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “Andy has given terrific service to the Club and assisted me in navigating some very difficult times.

“I wish to place on record our gratitude for his efforts, understanding, and hard work during his time at the Club.

“He is a man of integrity and decency, and I am sure he will be successful in his next role.

“We remain good friends and Hess will be welcome at Crabble at any time.”

Everyone at the club wishes Andy all the very best for the future.

SEE MORE: Dulwich make savage dig at Dover after receiving a ban on filming prior to kick off

Andy Hessenthaler began his football career in non league football, and didm’t become a professional until he joined Watford when he was 26.

Hessenthaler joined Gillingham in 1996 and spent the next ten seasons there as a player and then player-manager.

He managed the club to the highest ever finish in England’s football league system, and was regarded as a legend at the Kent club.

After leaving Gillingham, he spent a brief time at Barnet before joining Dover Athletic.

He led the club to two consecutive championships in his two years as its leader, the Isthmian League Division One South Division and the Isthmian League Premier Division Division.

After three years at Dover he was named manager at Gillingham. However, his contract was ended at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.

In 2014, he was back at the club as assistant manger. The following year, he took on a similar position at Leyton Orient.

Hessenthaler was fired in September 2016, before being appointed assistant manager of Eastleigh in the National League Club in April 2017. He then assumed the managerial role in November 2017.

After the dismissal of Chris Kinnear, he was appointed manager at Dover in October 2018.

Jim Parmenter, chairman of Dover, confirmed that all employees had been furloughed during the 2020-21 season and would not be playing any additional fixtures.

The club started the 2021-22 season with minus-12 points.

After switching back to a part-time operation and losing just four players, a terrible season followed. The club was only thirty five points away from safety, with only eleven matches remaining, and the club was relegated into the National League South.

In January 2023, mutual consent was reached to cancel his contract with the club, and has headed back to Gillingham.

GILLINGHAM STATEMENT:

Andy Hessenthaler and Kenny Jackett have joined the Gills.

The club is delighted to announce the appointments of both Andy Hessenthaler and Kenny Jackett.

Hessenthaler returns to MEMS Priestfield Stadium as Head of Recruitment with Jackett taking up the role of Director of Football.

Andy, 57, leaves his role as Dover Athletic manager to take up his new position at ME7 while Jackett was most recently in charge of League 2 side Leyton Orient. They join the club with immediate effect and will work closely with the board of directors, and manager Neil Harris.

Hessenthaler played over 350 games for the Gills and, as manager, guided the club to their highest ever league finish of 11th in the Championship.

Jackett, capped 31 times by Wales during his playing career, has three promotions to his name as a manager (Swansea, Millwall and Wolves) and also won the EFL Trophy in 2018-19 during his time with Portsmouth. The 60-year-old spent his entire playing career with Watford, making over 400 appearances.

This is what fans said with Dover deciding to part company with their manager as the contract gets cancelled…

@ConnorJames___: I will forever be grateful for hess, his 1st spell in charge for brilliant and pushed the club to where we are and went to. Sadly this 2nd spell hasnt gone well, turned most of the fans agaisnt the club

@stevegold1431: Bring back Chris kinnear

@jonnycyclone: Really intrigued to see what type of manager comes next, in terms of budget etc. Guessing someone further down on the up?

@TheBoroWalk: Aaaaaand another one gone.

@alexgress: that’s him on the pitch with brad on saturday lunchtime then 🤣 not overly against it providing he isn’t what we turn to if/when harris goes. DOF – yes. anything else – no.

@marcwebber: Anyone checking the CCTV near Gillingham 👀😂

@TBowdery27: Andy Hessenthaler leaves Dover Athletic having steered the club through the most turbulent times I’ve ever seen at the club. Did it very well but it does feel that the time is right to change the coach and try to move up the table

@TheRiverEnd1: Good luck Andy in all your future endeavours. Always had time for me and for that I am very appreciative. #DAFC

@Luke_Teachen: Would assume that means that Hess is the new DOF at @TheGillsFC. All things considered whilst in post under Allen he actually did a decent job.

@GillsInTheBlood: NeW dIrEcToR oF fOoTbAlL?? 👀 #Gills #GFC 💙

@LeeCPDAFC: Wow! Hess is Out! #DoverAthletic ⚫️⚪️

@Champ_GFC74: If 2+2 makes 4 on this occasion. I’m not in favour.

@ShaneDeville86: This fills me with dread 😬 #Gills

@aligills10: Announce DOF @TheGillsFC

@mintyrigden: About time 😂

@NateChar23: Interesting juxtaposition between Dover fans being happy with his departure and Gills fans happy he is coming back at DOF.

@fcblu1: Oh for fs here we go . #Gills

@tomjasper89: Brad wanted a new DOF – and here he is! #Gills

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Dover Athletic