Maidstone United manager Craig Fagan says it would have been difficult to turn down the job

Craig Fagan says it would have been difficult to turn down the opportunity to manage Maidstone United.

Fagan is settling into his new role after succeeding George Elokobi at the Gallagher Stadium.

He knows the club well, having worked as assistant manager under Elokobi for three years, so when the chance to go for the top job came up, it naturally appealed.

“It was a two-way thing in terms of being asked, would I put my name forward?” said Fagan.

“George didn’t have anything, I was in limbo, there was a conversation, it was would I be interested?

“I’d already spoken to George and he said he wouldn’t stand in my way if the opportunity came about and I should do it. It was everything all rolled into one.

“I’m hoping it’s a little bit easier for myself, being at the club, knowing all the staff, and the majority of the players, who hopefully do re-sign, but there’s no guarantees in football.

“I think I’ve maybe got one up on someone else that’s coming into the football club if they’re starting blind, not knowing the club, not knowing the expectations from the outside.

“It was difficult to say no, not just because it’s a job in football, but because I like the club.

“I like coming into work every day, I enjoy coaching, enjoy making people better, and I believe we’ve got a proven track record in that.

“This will be my fourth year when it rolls around, so it would be hard to say no. I just want to put my stamp on it now and take it forward.”

Fagan, who made former loanee Tom Leahy first signing last weekend, says life as the manager is a “little bit different”.

He’s getting used to making the decisions, one of the main changes from his previous role as Elokobi’s No.2.

“George and me would bounce a lot of ideas around in terms