Hakan Hayrettin

Biography

Hakan was appointed manager of Hamlet in March 2023 and achieved a significant impact in a short time, securing 16 points from 13 games. Despite these efforts, the team lost its National League South status on the final day of the season due to goal difference. Hakan has a commendable background in both coaching and managing, having previously led teams like Grays Athletic, Luton Town, and Maidstone United to promotions.

During his playing career, Hakan achieved notable success. He won the FA Trophy at Wycombe Wanderers under Martin O’Neill and was part of the team’s promotion to the Football League in 1993, followed by a further promotion the next year. His playing career, however, was curtailed by a serious knee injury at Cambridge United in 1997, leading him to retire from full-time football. He continued to play in non-league football before transitioning to a managerial role, starting with Waltham Forest in 2003 where he won the Essex Senior Cup. His managerial journey included successful stints at Thurrock and Grays, where he achieved promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division in 2013. He was also part of the Luton Town staff that won the Conference title in 2014.

After leaving Luton in 2016, Hakan had brief roles at Dagenham & Redbridge and Braintree Town, before moving to Maidstone in January 2019. At Maidstone, he secured his third promotion as a coach, leading the team to win the National League South title in 2022. Hakan, now aged 53, brings a wealth of experience and success to his current role at Hamlet.

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