Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin tells of emotional and physical strain of leading National League South title challenge

Hakan Hayrettin says he’s left emotionally and physically drained by Maidstone’s title charge.

Manager Hayrettin’s passion for the job and the demands he makes of his players come at a price for the Stones boss.

But it will all be worth it if they convert their four-point lead into National South glory next month.

“Emotionally and physically I get drained but I’m lucky to have a fiancée like I’ve got who keeps me level-headed,” said Hayrettin.

“It does take a lot out of me but as soon as I put the key in the front door on a Saturday night I switch off until Monday and then 7am when the phone goes, she goes ‘here we go again’.

“If I’m going to speak to anyone on a Sunday it’s going to be Bill Williams, the chief exec.

“It’s a full-time job for me and I have to cover all bases.

“Being a manager here, you have to manage the staff, you have to manage the supporters, you have to manage the players, you have to manage the press, you have to manage the owners.

“I’ve got big responsibilities on my shoulders but once the key goes in the door on a Saturday, until Monday, I switch off.”

Hayrettin is ready to squeeze even more out of the players in the final six games of the season.

Inspired by a Netflix documentary on Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest years, featuring two of his former managers, Hayrettin feels there’s always for improvement.

“I think in any team you can get more,” said Hayrettin.

“I saw a documentary the other day where my two old managers, Frank Clark and Martin O’Neill, were in the Clough era at Forest and he got every ounce of energy and skill and determination out of them, and I’m sure there’s still more to come if I push.

“I look at my two gaffers there that I played for (O’Neill at Wycombe; Clark at Leyton