Eastleigh confirm manager leaves by mutual consent after three years

Eastleigh have had to confirm that manager Ben Strevens leaves by mutual consent after three years at the National League outfit.

Strevens took over at the club in November 2018, having finished his playing career at the Silverlake Stadium.

Eastleigh lost to bottom of the table Dover Athletic on Tuesday and sit 13th in the league.

📰 | Eastleigh Football Club confirms the departure of First Team Manager, Ben Strevens, by mutual consent.#Spitfires

— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) January 26, 2022

CLUB STATEMENT:

Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm the departure of First Team Manager Ben Strevens, who leaves the club by mutual consent, with immediate effect.

The Board would like to thank Ben for his commitment to the club as a player and during his three years and three months tenure as manager.

The Club are grateful for the successes Ben has had as Manager, guiding us to the Play-offs in his first season as well as working under tight budgets to create an exciting recruitment strategy of young, hungry players that have developed here and progressed up the leagues.

Ben has also done a great job navigating the club through an extremely difficult period during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has helped the club to remain financially sound by managing on a budget and generating funds through player development and sales.

However, after holding meetings in light of recent results and performances, both parties have come to an agreement that a change is required to move forward as a Football Club.

As a Spitfires legend on and off the pitch, Ben will always be welcomed back to the club.

Jason Bristow will now be placed in interim charge with immediate effect.

Twitter users reacted as Eastleigh confirm their manager leaves by mutual consent after three years…

@AdamHWhyte: Absolute legend of the club. Forever grateful for everything he did for me and the memories of watching his sides. My man @strevs12

@Leestevens1983: Wish him all the best in the future! As a player absolutely quality for Eastleigh. Playoffs in 1 season unfortunately losing in the semis on pens. Unfortunately recently results haven’t gone our way against some very tough opponents. I think the Dover game killed it off

@CreswT: Was a privilege to have Strevs as first-team manager in my time at the club. Top bloke, all the best for the future @strevs12

@J_Tanswell: Top guy and has done a superb job on such a restricted budget. All the best for the future @strevs12

@colinbu80375141: Not sure how to feel about this really. Great man who has time for everybody , working on a tight budget with limited tools at his disposal. Could have been different if he was backed with a bigger squad. All the best for the future @strevs12

@OffTheLineBlog: Strevens has done so much good work in charge of Eastleigh. However, can understand the decision that has been made. 11 points off the play-offs, so a change at a key point in the season perhaps gives them the best chance to push towards the top 7 during the run-in.

@RomseyCam: Oh wow. Saturday’s game will see both sides with caretaker bosses then! A great storyline for BT Sport to jump on for the TV game

@blufferfish089: Disappointed to hear that, I know we’ve had some rocky form but I trusted Strevs and enjoyed the way he let the boys play exciting football. Wish you the best on your future endeavours @strevs12, once a spitfire always a spitfire

@Cantell36: A long-standing servant to the club as a player and manager. Thank you @strevs12 for all you’ve done and all the best for the future.

@dylanchavasse: Top bloke the couple of times I got the chance to speak to him. All the best for what’s next

@EdwinJMoody: I think that’s the third manager we’ve lost directly after defeats to Dover, Richard Hill and Chris Todd being the other two.

@dan_mays86: Wish you all the best @strevs12 great servant to the club.

@jamiecaines2: Wrong decision

@georgemellor93: That is very kind of Eastleigh to make it two manager-less teams on the tele Saturday. 5:20 for what promises to be a classic.

@JackCousens9: The wrong decision. Thank you @strevs12 for your hard work and effort as both a player and manager for us #Spitfires

@newington13: Not sure I’m entirely happy with this. Away form was ropey but home form was actually very very good. Got to the playoffs twice, and always made sure to connect with fans. Disappointed it hasn’t worked out if I’m honest.