Didi's non-league run-out comes to abrupt end

Former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar ‘Didi’ Hamman has resigned as manager of Stockport County after just four months with the Blue Square Premier side.

Hamman cited the collapse of Liverpudlian businessman Tony Evans’ proposed takeover as the reason for his resignation but after just 19 points from as many games, his tenure looked short lived in today’s era of cutthroat coaching and fans called for his head after County’s 3-3 draw at home to Hayes & Yeading, who lie 21^st and came from 3-1 down to share the spoils, on Saturday.

The former Germany international, with 59 caps, was introduced to the club by Evans in July and took over from Ray Mathias who lasted just 41 days in charge after a spell as caretaker manager which saw The Hatters’ 105 year stay in the football league ended last season. According to Hamman, he had been promised future investment through Evans’ consortium, something that was not forthcoming after Evans’ withdrawal from the takeover process in mid-September. The German’s statement read; “I presumed that the takeover by Tony Evans and his consortium would have taken place. Various promises were made to me at the time of my appointment which did not take place. I feel therefore unable to continue in the post.”

This was Hamman’s first managerial post after successful coaching role with MK Dons and Leicester, most recently, and although it has ended in disappointment he told Sky Sports that he would be looking for a quick return to the dugout. He added, “…I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last four months in my first managerial job. I see now that it’s made for me and I want to carry on doing it.”

Hamman was seen as a major coup for the non-league when he took over during the summer but, inevitably, he leaves after picking up only 3 wins from his 19 games in charge. During that time Stockport lost 6 and will rue the fact that they didn’t turn more draws into wins after sharing the points 10 times so far this year.

Without a doubt, Hamman will be back in the hot seat in the near future as he is highly respected within the game and, as an intelligent footballer and considered pundit, will most likely prove to be a very successful manager. You have to think back to the original appointment and ask yourself whether he was suitable for the non-league in the first place. After all, as a player at the top level and a coach within the football league, what did he know about picking up points in the lower echelons of English football? The non-league is a very tricky place for someone with no experience of it to start out as a player, let a lone a coach, and is very much a place of substance over style. With or without each other both Stockport County and Didi Hamman are both sure to bounce back sooner rather than later.