EX-BOSS of Leyton FC Tony Ievoli has a message for his successor: ‘Good luck, you’ll need it!’ Ievoli left the Ryman League Division One North club on Monday.
The board at the Lea Bridge Road club accepted his resignation following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Lowestoft Town.
He had tendered it last week, after defeat to Great Wakering Rovers made it just one win in five games for the Lilywhites this season.
That was not good enough for chairman Costas Sophocleous and the board.
Talking to the Guardian this week, Ievoli said the chairman wants promotion.
“It’s not realistic,” he stated.
“Not if he (the new boss) has the same budget as I did.
“How could he, when there are other clubs which have twice the money? I do not believe the new manager could get Leyton up this season.
“But I would be very happy if they did go up. I wish the best for any club I have been at, but I do not believe it’s realistic.”
Ievoli said he was ‘flabbergasted’ at the turn of events which led to his premature exit.
It is reported that his replacement was at Monday’s clash, watching his final game in charge.
“I had a job description to work to, which was agreed in June,” claimed Ievoli.
“The vision was that I would improve on last year’s finish and do my damnedest to get us near the play-offs.
“But the chairman decided it was going to change. He wants promotion. I said it’s not achievable.”
From then his fate was sealed.
“I’m very disappointed,” reflected Ievoli. “I wanted to bring stability to that club.”
Chairman Costas Sophocleous said: “We kick off the season with expectations and what usually happens is that expectations drop as the season progresses. We do not expect to start the season with no expectations.
“We did not sack anyone. All we did was quickly accept the offer of resignation.”
Now the club have appointed ex-Grays Athletic boss Craig Edwards as manager.
Sophocleous said Leyton ‘jumped at the chance’ to recruit him.
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