Mitch Brundle has described how his time as Dover’s manager taught him the world.

Brundle, still only 29, became the youngest man to take charge of the Crabble club in January 2023 but was sacked in December with the Whites heading towards relegation from National League South.

Plenty have asked the former Barnet, Gateshead, Braintree and Farnborough midfielder why he took on a managerial position at his age. But he has no regrets about doing so.

Brundle said: “Honestly, it taught me the world.

“Everyone always says to me ‘Why did you take it so young?’ But I’m so glad that I took it. I learnt so much.

“I’ve had five months away from being a manager now.

“I literally ate, slept, watched games, reviewed, went home, managed - did the same again and again - all I was thinking about 24/7 was football.

“It’s so hard because you cannot take yourself away from it.

“You could be on a nice Sunday walk - and the first thing you think of is ‘What team have we got on Tuesday?’”

Brundle, who ended the 2023/24 campaign playing at Southern Counties East Premier Division Lydd, spent 11 months in the hotseat at Crabble.

He was replaced by Jake Leberl but the new man couldn’t prevent Whites from avoiding the drop. They finished bottom.

“It’s just the way football works,” reflected Brundle, who needs to sort out a hip issue before he can return to playing. “I don’t hold any grudges.

“I’m in the process of looking at other jobs and I’ve turned down some other jobs. It’s just a case of which way am I going to do it.

“All I’ve got to do is drain a bit of fluid out of my hip and that will allow me to play.

“But am I ready to take another manager’s job? I believe so.

“I’m that addicted to football and I do love it. I speak to a lot of managers all the time and some have offered me roles to go in and work with them.

“I believe that [Dover] job was a lose-lose situation. But I learnt so much from it and, now, I just cannot wait for the next opportunity.

“I still speak to a lot of people in the National League and National League South.

“A lot of things get thrown around in the National League, National League South and in all the lower leagues, about money and this, that and the other.

“My ambition is to be at the highest level that I can.”

Striker George Nikaj, a product of the club’s Academy, has decided to stay with Dover for the 2024/25 season.

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