Manager Dennis Kutrieb extended his contract at Ebbsfleet because he felt valued by the club.

The 43-year-old German is contracted to the Fleet until the summer of 2026 after penning a two-year extension to his current deal.

It was a case of third time lucky as Ebbsfleet landed the National League South title under Kutrieb this season - and the Fleet boss felt the club’s ambitions matched his own going into the new campaign.

“As always there was very fair communication and a nice chat,” said Kutrieb.

“I feel very valued and appreciated so it was fine to do the next step and say if I’m appreciated and valued then I should stay longer and continue what we have started. I want to work hard and just make us better.

“That’s the minimum of where you need to cross paths, to have the same ambition and the same idea of a project.

“To be honest, when I signed my first contract when I came over I should have started in the National League so this was the initial idea.

“The idea from Damian (Irvine, chief executive) was to bring me in as a National League manager so after the decision was made to come here, the decision came that we needed to go down.

“So I literally start now after a three-year delay at where I was going to be on that first day.

“We’ve learned a lot in the last three years but now for myself I have the feeling that I really start my work as that was the idea three years ago.”

When announcing the deal, Ebbsfleet chief executive Damian Irvine stated “It is no surprise Dennis has attracted interest from other quarters including recent offers from the EFL”.

But Kutrieb is highly regarded both by Irvine and Fleet chairman Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi.

The Fleet boss added: “It was very genuine interest but at the end of the day we made the decision to keep working together and that I stay longer.

“It was really nice, the chats that I had with the doctor and especially with Damian, and they gave me the feeling that I shouldn’t go anywhere, that I should stay. That’s why I’m still there.”