Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter says Andy Hessenthaler is to stay as manager next season following relegation from the National League
Published: 19:33, 19 March 2022
Updated: 22:14, 19 March 2022
Chairman Jim Parmenter says Andy Hessenthaler is to stay on as Dover manager next season.
Parmenter announced the news after Whites' 2-0 defeat to Yeovil at Crabble on Saturday which confirmed their relegation from the National League after an eight-year stay in the league.
When asked if Hessenthaler would still be in charge at Crabble for their 2022/23 campaign, he replied: "Yes, he will.
"He has confirmed that for next season."
Parmenter added more details regarding the club's plans for next term would be announced at an open meeting for all supporters on Tuesday.
He commented: "We have been planning for the potential of a relegation for some time. We will be changing things around.
"We will be making a few announcements on Tuesday at the manager and chairman evening about how we are going to approach things.
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"We will be there to compete in the National League South next season."
Hessenthaler feels Whites will be able to compete in Step 2 of English non-league football but, with 11 matches still to play this term, he isn't looking too far ahead yet.
"I think it’s a league we will be able to compete in," said Hessenthaler. "We will sit down, go through it and start planning for next year.
"But obviously, we have still got to respect this league right now with 11 games to go. But yes, it (National League South) is a league we will be able to compete in.
"We might be able to start enjoying our football again because it’s been very difficult.
"I was speaking to their manager before the game (Darren Sarll). Yeovil can’t compete at this level.
"They were in the Championship a few years ago! Look at where they are in the league (mid-table in 13th).
"That’s an eye-opener for anybody, a club like Yeovil not being able to compete in this league is unbelievable."
Hessenthaler had offered his resignation earlier this season but he added: "I'm staying. It was always going to be tough from the start (this campaign).
"It's a sad day because we have gone down - it would have been even sadder if we went out of business.
"You have only got to think about the Bury fans of this world. They have got no club - and that could have been us.
"But we go down with no debt and we will have a challenge for next season."
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Thomas Reeves