Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb says passing game won’t be sacrificed when his side return to the National League next season

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb insists his footballing philosophy won’t change as they move up a level.

The Fleet were easy on the eye with their passing style, playing out from the back, on their way to the National League South title this season.

The squad will report back for pre-season training at the end of June and while a more physical challenge awaits them in the National League, Kutrieb is keen to stick to his principles.

“We have definitely to adapt to this league,” explained the Fleet boss. “Teams will be stronger, they will be more physical, they will find ways how they can set traps to beat us and win the ball.

“We just need to work hard in pre-season, the style won’t change as the style is the style - that’s what we want to do.

“That’s how we got our success so there’s no need to change it in general but you need to mix it up, you need to be smart and make the right decisions.

“We conceded 47 goals over the season, if you find more than two goals where we were really sloppy, and gave cheap goals away, I would be surprised. That’s the difference.

“Yes, we want to play and we want to play on the floor but the most important thing is we don’t want to concede.

“If it’s not possible to play then we don’t play and this is something we need to adapt. We need to be smart enough to make good decisions.”

The Fleet are once again drip-feeding the players who have agreed to stay at Stonebridge Road, although the vast majority of the squad are expected to remain for the coming campaign.

In the past week, Omari Sterling-James, Luke O’Neill, Franklin Domi and Toby Edser have all had their new deals confirmed, while Kutireb has extended his deal until summer 2026.

The Fleet are yet to announce any new signings but Kutrieb