Spalding United sacked manager Elliot Sandy last week three games after signing a two-year-deal.
Sandy won the Tulips the Northern League Midland Division title in his first full season in senior management.
He’d been handed the reins, initially as a caretaker, after the departure of Brett Whaley in March 2023.
After a decent finish to that season which saw them miss out in the play-off final to an extra-time winner against Halesowen, he was appointed full-time manager.
With a big budget, the pressure was on Sandy’s Tulips to gain promotion last season and his side delivered, earning a first foray into step three of the non-league pyramid for his side.
The manager was awarded a new two-year contract for his efforts at which point chair Andrew Killingsworth described Sandy as a ‘young and talented manager’.
After a summer of building for the next level, Spalding won their opener, in the Southern League Premier Central, a 1-0 win over Bedford Town.
They then lost 4-0 at Sandy’s former team Kettering Town and 2-0 at Sporting Bromsgrove.
That was enough for the Spalding board who sacked Sandy before last Saturday’s second home game of the season against AFC Telford.
The Tulip’s statement announcing his departure on Friday was brief.
“Everyone at the club would like to thank Elliot for all of his efforts and successes over the last two seasons and we all wish him all the very best in the future,” it said.
Sandy said: “I’m gutted with the decision, but that is football.
“After promotion in my first season and building something special at the club I had hoped to be given the chance to continue the good work and it coming so early in a two-year deal.
“I wish the club nothing but success.
“I want to thank all the players who I have managed and my management team for all the effort they gave me day in and day out.
“I know I can hold my head high and look back on my 14 months in charge with immense pride for my first ever job in management.
“To get to a play-off final, two cup finals and win a league getting the club to step three for the first time in its history will be on the record books forever.
“Let’s see what the future brings.”
Assistant manager James Clifton oversaw the two games at the weekend which saw Spalding narrowly lose 1-0 at home to one of the title favourites in AFC Telford before a 5-1 hammering at St Ives on Monday.
Jimmy Dean has been heavily linked with the vacant position.
Dean oversaw Peterborough Sports’ rise up the leagues to the National League North before moving to Scunthorpe United last season where his side beat Spalding United in the Lincolnshire County Cup final last season.
The Irons finished second in the season but then lost on penalties to Boston United in the promotion play off semi finals. Dean has been out of work since.
