Kane ‘disappointed but not surprised’

The U’s are on the hunt for a new boss for next season after the football club’s hierarchy this week decided not to retain Kane’s services.

A club statement read: “At a board meeting on Tuesday April 28, it was unanimously decided that the club should look to appoint a new first team manager. It is the club’s intention to advertise the managerial position at the earliest opportunity.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Nigel Kane and his coaching staff for their hard work over the last four months. The club intends to speak to Nigel to see if he has any interest in exploring other positions that may exist at the club.”

Kane became United’s third permanent manager of a turbulent season in January and oversaw a 19th place finish in Ryman Football League Division One South.

He said: “I was extremely disappointed, but not overly surprised. The club was in a state of disarray on and off the pitch when I took hold of the reins. I inherited a squad which had picked up four points from its previous nine games. My main objective was to avoid relegation and I achieved that.

“I think there’s been a transformation in the way that the team played in the last six games and I did that at the same time as reducing the amount of money we were spending on players.

“I was committed to developing the youth at the club and helping young, talented players in the area. I can’t imagine there’s many other managers that know every single u18 and u21 player at the club.”

Kane achieved five wins, five draws and nine defeats from 19 matches in charge.

“I just hope that whoever the club decides to appoint remains committed to developing the best local talent because it’s vital if the club’s going to progress,” continued Kane, who is the only United manager to win promotion since 2002. He took the club up to the Premier Division via the play-offs during his previous stint at the helm in 2007.

“Everyone accepts this football club should be playing at a higher level, but in order to achieve that, it’s got to stop making the same mistakes it’s made consistently over the past 13 years.

“I don’t know how many managers have been appointed in that timeframe, but unless the club gives a manager a chance to implement his philosophies, it won’t progress.

“I’m sure if there hadn’t been a regime change (Dave Ormerod succeeded Dave Walters as club owner a month ago), I would definitely still be in charge.

“But that’s football, new people come in and have their own ideas. I just hope they carefully consider who they appoint so it doesn’t undo the good work I’ve done.”