Jake Leberl is Dover manager Chris Kinnear’s right-hand man and the assistant boss says he’s more than happy to keep it that way.

And although Lerberl has plenty of drive and ambition to become a manager one day, he is not planning on making the step up to becoming a main man any time soon.

Leberl says he is enjoying working with Kinnear way too much to consider making a move away from Crabble.

He said: “I do want to manage in the future – there is no question about that.

“There is no lack of desire on my behalf to achieve that goal one day.

“But I have never thought about applying for a manager’s job elsewhere.

“I count myself as fortunate and honoured to work with Chris and am learning all the time from him.

“There is a real art to what Chris does and he has achieved so much in his managerial career. He’s a master at what he does.

“I am more than happy to stay and keep learning from someone so highly regarded and respected in the game.”

Since hanging up his boots, Lerberl has seen players he has played with and against like Jay Saunders (Maidstone), Steve McKimm (Tonbridge) and Jamie Day (Welling and Ebbsfleet) become managers.

He said: “I see them do it and know I can do it, too but there is no point rushing into it. The time has got to be right for me.

“I am sure my time will come like them but I want to make sure I am ready to make that step up first.

“I want to be in it (football)for the long run but am still learning, so I will know when it’s the right time.”

Read the full story in the Mercury