Sittingbourne appoint Chris Lynch as their new manager after impressing the committee with his knowledge and vision for the club

SITTINGBOURNE have made a surprise choice by appointing another manager without Isthmian League managerial experience.

 

Aslan Odev resigned yesterday with the Woodstock Park club sitting in the bottom four in the Bostik South East Division table, having won five and drawn two of their 18 league games and are only three points clear of bottom-of-the-table side Herne Bay.

Sittingbourne were thrashed 5-0 at Hastings United in Odev’s final game in charge of the club last Saturday.

Odev was in charge for a year after taking over from Nick Davis in January 2018 and Sittingbourne won 15 games, drew four and lose 22 games in all competitions.

Odev didn’t have any senior Isthmian League managerial experience before taking the job and Sittingbourne’s choice as his replacement is a surprise, considering Lloyd Blackman and Steve O'Boyle, who both did good jobs at Ramsgate and Phoenix Sports respectively, are presently available but the club opted for Chris Lynch.

“Aslan’s replacement is Chris Lynch, who is currently Head of Youth Development at Dover Athletic FC Youth Section, where he is held in high regard having built the highly successful Youth Development Programme,” said a club statement.

“Chris impressed the committee with his knowledge and vision for the club.

“Chris is a qualified UEFA and FA Licenced coach who began his career at Dover and Whitstable and in his time with them represented Kent.

“He had trials with Luton in 1996 and then went on to Watford under Graham Taylor three years later.  Both Manchester United and Aston Villa showed keen interest in Chris throughout the 90s. However, a serious accident put paid to his playing career.

“Although having previous managerial experience, this is Chris’s first managerial position at this level.

“Chris will meet the team officially tonight and take charge in the friendly on Saturday against Hollands & Blair.”

Lynch’s first league game in charge will be a trip to Ramsgate – who are managed by Davis - on Saturday 19 January 2019 (15:00).

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.uk