Ebbsfleet United have moved quickly to appoint a new manager after sacking Danny Searle.

Harry Watling succeeds Searle, who was dismissed on Monday having taken only one point from the opening seven National League games.

Watling, 34, was most recently on the coaching staff at Scottish giants Rangers, having been with QPR before that.

He’s also been an academy coach at Chelsea, Millwall and West Ham, and worked as a head coach in America with Hartford Athletic.

He will be assisted by ex-Tottenham defender David Kerslake and former Charlton academy coach John Cotton.

Watling’s first match in charge will be Fleet’s home game against Hartlepool this Saturday.

He said: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s a brilliant set-up at Ebbsfleet and it was really important to align myself with a club that allows me to play football on the front foot and the way I want to play it.”

Player Josh Wright took caretaker charge on Tuesday as Fleet secured a goalless draw against Searle’s old club Aldershot.

Watling, who holds his UEFA Pro Licence, watched that game - and is looking forward to getting started.

He added: “I want to develop people here, and what I saw on the pitch on Tuesday night, I loved the commitment, the honesty and work rate, and the quality on show.

“It was a marker for the bare minimum I want to see and now myself, David and John can’t wait to get started in front of the Fleet fans on home soil against Hartlepool on Saturday.”

Ebbsfleet chief executive Damian Irvine said: “We are very strong on getting the right characters into this football club through rigorous processes, people who are devoted to the job, to the club and to their desire to succeed. Harry is one of those.

“The footballing world is a small one – players and coaches will know who commands respect and who is capable of leading and delivering results.

“With a new up-and-coming manager in Harry assisted by someone as hugely respected, experienced and successful in the industry as David Kerslake, our new management team will be getting to work immediately to deliver those results.”