CRAIG FAGAN has been handed a managerial breakthrough after being appointed as non-league minnows Maidstone United’s new boss.
The former striker, 43, will take over when current chief George Elokobi quits at the end of the season.
Craig Fagan has been appointed as Maidstone’s new boss Credit: Gary Stone
The former Premier League striker will replace George Elokobi at the end of the season Credit: Getty
And Maidstone, who are heading into the final day of the National League South season with hope of bagging a last-gasp play-off spot, are preparing to enter a new era.
A club statement read: “Craig Fagan has been appointed as the new manager of Maidstone United Football Club.
“The former Hull City and Colchester United forward became assistant manager to George Elokobi in February 2023, with the duo overseeing the club’s historic run in 2023-24 and back‑to‑back play‑off finishes in the National League South.
“Craig will formally take up his new role next month, at which point he will announce his management team and begin player recruitment ahead of the 2026-27 season.
“ will continue to manage the team up to and including the final game of the season.
“This will include any end‑of‑season play‑off fixtures, should the club finish in the top seven following this weekend’s away match against Bath City.”
Having announced his retirement in 2015, Fagan returned to former side to get his coaching career underway.
He worked with the Tigers’ talented youngsters in the academy before being named Southend’s under-23s chief in 2019.
But suffered a huge blow when he was brutally rejected after applying to become the Essex side’s first-team boss 12 months later.
And he was then promoted to Southend’s assistant manager before joining ex-Colchester team-mate Elokobi at Maidstone.
Fagan was snubbed when he applied for the Southend job in 2020 Credit: Getty
He will step up from his role as Maidstone’s assistant manager Credit: Alamy
The Stones enjoyed a sensational run to the last 16 of the FA Cup two years ago before being blown away by Coventry .
Ipswich, who won promotion to the Premier League four months later, Stevenage and Barrow were humiliated by Maidstone during the fairytale run.
Former left-back Elokobi saw his side narrowly miss out on bagging a place in the National League last season.
They were consigned to a 1-0 loss by Boreham Wood in a nail-biting play-off final.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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