No more Hahn for Athletic

Grays Athletic yesterday announced the departure of manager Mitch Hahn. 

Mitch took the managers job in the summer after a spell as Assistant last season, and of course was also a successful player for the club, as well as playing for the likes of Bishop's Stortford, Harlow Town, Ware and Redbridge. Athletic have had a rather poor start to the season, however, and he departs with them in twentieth place in Pitching In Isthmian North, and having lost their last seven League matches. 

The club released the following statement:

‘Grays Athletic Football Club can confirm that First Team Manager Mitch Hahn and Assistant Manager Ash Miller have departed the club. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Mitch and Ash for their efforts and commitment during their time at Grays Athletic and wishes them both the very best for the future. In the interim, Lewis Clark, Sam Walker, Nick Strizovic and Mitch Baldock will continue to manage first team affairs until a new manager is appointed. ’

Later, Hahn released a long statement of his own on social media, explaining that his personal and professional responsibilities away from football left him feeling that he couldn't give the role at Athletic the  ‘time, energy and commitment it needs.’ You can read more of that statement below, or read all of it here. 

'After a lot of thought, and discussion with the Chairman today, I have made the difficult decision to step away as manager of Grays Athletic. 

When I was offered the job, I couldn’t say no. I love this club, and the opportunity to manage Grays was something I couldn’t say no to. My ambition was to build a strong squad from the start, create a real togetherness within the group and have minimal changes throughout, allowing us to build something consistent and sustainable. Maybe I was a little naive in thinking that would be straightforward, but that was always the vision. 

This has been a really difficult decision because I have loved being involved. However, with the arrival of my newborn daughter and the demands of my work, I have had to be honest with myself about what I can realistically commit to and with the results going the way they have, I have had to have a real think about things. 

There is so much that goes into being a manager away from match days and training. The planning, preparation, watching games, analysing opponents, speaking to players, organising sessions and everything else behind the scenes takes a huge amount of time. I knew the role would be demanding, but balancing it all alongside work and family life has become increasingly difficult. 

Grays deserves someone who can give the role the time, energy and commitment it needs, and I don’t feel I can do that to the standard I would want to at this stage of my life. This decision isn’t down to a lack of love for the club, if anything, that’s what makes it so difficult. 

I want to thank the players for everything they have given me. I have a huge amount of respect for the group, and I have genuinely enjoyed working with them. Football is ultimately about people, relationships and what you build together, and I am grateful for the memories and friendships I will take away from this experience. A massive thank you also goes to my staff, Ash, Clarky, Mitch, Striz, Walks and Sim. They are a brilliant group of people who have put so much into this, often away from the spotlight. There is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, and I have loved working alongside them. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people around me.'