Maidstone United co-owner Terry Casey says nobody they've interviewed for manager's job has been more impressive than caretaker boss George Elokobi

Maidstone have held interviews for the vacant manager’s job - but no one matches up to caretaker boss George Elokobi.

Elokobi has been in charge since Hakan Hayrettin was sacked six-and-a-half weeks ago and looks increasingly likely to keep the reins for the rest of the season.

United continue to struggle in the National League but the board have taken heart from improved performances and they like Elokobi, who has guided them to the FA Trophy Quarter-Finals.

“On and off the pitch, George hasn’t put a foot wrong,” said co-owner Terry Casey, speaking after Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat by Eastleigh.

“He’s working with the squad he inherited and these are players that he’s getting more out of than they produced before. It’s just a difficult situation.

“He hasn’t done anything that suggests he can’t do the job through to the end of the season.

“We did a series of interviews but, to be honest, we couldn’t find anyone better than George.

“If somebody comes along and they have all the credentials then we’d talk to them.

“We’re constantly talking to people at the moment. We’ve told George that.

“He’s caretaker manager for the time being but nobody that we interviewed was more impressive than George, so George stays in post for as long as that remains the case.

“It’s a big compliment to George. I think he’s done really well.

“He’s such a charismatic character. I just hope we get three or four results that would feed into the crowd and feed into the squad and make everybody feel a little bit more positive about things.

“Everything he’s done we’ve been impressed with, his commitment and his knowledge of the game, and his ability working with the players.

“He’s got a real technique of motivating players and getting his squad to work for him