HILL BACK TO BEGIN A REPAIR JOB FOR SPITFIRES

EASTLEIGH will not have a permanent boss until next season following their third managerial departure of the season.

Martin Allen departed the Silverlake Stadium this week after winning just two of 14 matches in charge, with the final straw a 1-0 home defeat to Macclesfield in midweek.

Allen follows Chris Todd and Ronnie Moore out of the big-spending Hampshire club though they have acted swiftly and brought former manager Richard Hill back to the fold as director of football.

Hill, 53, will oversee first team duties for the time being though having previously been in charge from 2012 until 2015 and guiding the Spitfires into the top-tier of Non-League.

Hill, who will be assisted by Craig McAllister, Ben Strevens and Lee Peacock, said: “There will not be a decision made on a new manager until this season is finished.

“You cannot keep bringing managers in, relieving them and then paying compensation, then bringing in another one.”

Hill was in charge of National League South Whitehawk earlier this season before leaving to take over a coaching role at Aston Villa.

He has already brought defender Michael Green back to Eastleigh with chairman Stewart Donald looking to regain some stability at one of the pre-season favourites for promotion.

Donald said: “I can only unreservedly apologise for what I have put our fans, players and staff through this season. I genuinely thought all decisions made were right at the time but it is clear I have got this wrong. It has affected everyone’s enjoyment, none more than myself.

“I am hopeful that by bringing Richard in he will stabilise the club and then help push us on again. He did a fantastic job when he was here last time.

“He would walk to the club to come back he loves it so much and I feel this passion coupled with his football knowledge will help us get things right and be vital in ensuring we, or to be clearer and more accurate me, from continuing to make mistakes in such a fundamental area.”