Hakan Hayrettin says he will leave Maidstone - if that’s what fans want.

Hayrettin oversaw a sixth successive National League defeat as United lost 4-1 at York on Saturday.

It was the Minstermen’s first home win in three months.

Boss Hayrettin has also faced criticism for his decision to sign Yoan Zouma, the defender convicted after filming his brother kicking a cat, on loan from Dagenham.

He said the centre-back, who was sentenced to 140 hours’ community service, “deserved a second chance” and was “full of remorse” for what happened.

Calls for his dismissal are nothing new to Hayrettin, who appeared to have produced the ultimate response by delivering the National South title last season.

But with two wins in 21 league games leaving Maidstone second-bottom at the higher level, the knives are out again.

“Fine,” said Hayrettin. “I’ve had it since I’ve been here.

“I’ve been here four seasons and every season they’ve wanted me out. If they want me to go, I’ll go.”

That, in reality, is the last thing Hayrettin wants.

He’s always maintained he will keep Maidstone in the National League.

They’re only three points from safety, albeit having played three games more than the sides immediately outside the bottom four.

“I still say we’ll stay up because I’m a fighter and I’m a realist and I’ll always give 100%,” said Hayrettin. “I’m sure the players will as well.

“We’ve always turned it round before.

“We’ve worked hard but this season is more challenging than the rest of them.

“I still maintain the injuries we’ve had have killed us.

“You look at our back four. I keep having to shuffle the pack to try and get a team out.”

The arrival of Zouma has split opinion.

• Report: York 4-1 Maidstone

He had an uncomfortable debut, capped by a 30-yard own goal as York won 4-1 having trailed to Jack Barham’s opener after only 58 seconds.

“We needed a defender, that’s for sure,” said Hayrettin.

“I think the kid has admitted (what he did) and paid his punishment. Everyone deserves a second chance.

“That’s what the situation was. He’s committed something, he’s served his time and he wants to get on with his life and he’s full of remorse.

“There have been a lot of other people who have done a lot worse things who have been given a second opportunity.

“Speaking to him, I had to make that decision to bring him in and I did ask the club if I could and I got the green light, so I did.”

Asked what he made of the reaction to the Zouma signing, Hayrettin added: “People have had adultery situations and stuff like that and been given a second chance.

“The kid didn’t commit the crime but was an accomplice to what happened. He admits it and he’s full of remorse.

“We needed a defender so I had to bring one in. We’re not flush with cash, so I had to go out and get favours.

“He was good today, apart from that he smashed it into his own net at 2-1. I thought, ‘My God, what is happening here?’.”

Maidstone led for all of five minutes at the Community Stadium, with 18-year-old Watford loanee Shaqai Forde levelling the scores, followed by Zouma’s own goal.

Teenager Forde went on to complete a hat-trick as United suffered a first-ever defeat by York in the sides’ 10th meeting.

Hayrettin said: “We go 1-0 up and then we let in that silly goal, and poor Zouma, I felt sorry for him. Yoan scored an own goal and then it was demoralising, wasn’t it?

“It’s three errors. Joe Ellul, however well he’s played, he’s played it back and they’ve scored the fourth goal.

“There’s Zouma scoring an own goal for the second goal and George Fowler not clearing his lines for the first goal. They’re basic errors, aren’t they?

“It’s a tough place to come when you go down.

“They’ve put on some experience and they had a go but we were 1-0 up and I thought we’ve got a good chance here and then we commit suicide.”