Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb says glory, not money, should be the motivating factor for players pondering their future

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb has warned his players to stay at the club for the right reasons.

The Fleet manager hinted that some players want improved deals to remain at Stonebridge Road.

But Kutrieb believes that needs to be earned by success on the field, and after failing to win promotion from National League South this season there is little weight behind those holding out for better terms.

“No one is bigger than the club, not me or Damian [Irvine, chief executive],” said Kutrieb.

“What players in general need to understand is that we haven’t achieved anything. We played in the play-off final but we are in the same league again next season.

“No one is on a bad contract. They need to be aware it’s not about getting more money, first you need to deliver on the pitch. It may be a good season on paper but we failed and didn’t get promoted.

“If they’d got promoted then they deserve more but we need to look at who wants to stay for the right reasons.

“It’s an ongoing process. We don’t need to be concerned - I’ve had 45 players that are interested in coming to the club put in front of me this week alone.

“I don’t have to be concerned in any way. Yes, I want to keep as many as possible but it needs to be for the right reasons. I’m open-minded, if they all stay then that’s fine, if 10 stay then that’s fine as well.”

Fleet already have Rakish Bingham, Sido Jombati, Joe Martin and Craig Tanner under contract for next season.

But they are in talks or have made offers to 15 other players, including player-of-the-year Ben Chapman, keepers Harrison Firth and Chris Haigh, defenders Alex Finney, Sefa Kahraman and Chris Solly.

Midfielders Greg Cundle, Alfie Egan, Kieran Monlouis, Christian N’Guessan and Jack Paxman are all out of