Steve Watt has explained his decision to leave as Hythe boss with immediate effect.

Watt was due to step down at the helm of the Isthmian South East Cannons at the end of the season.

But he has now opted to move on immediately after Hythe’s thumping weekend 5-2 defeat at relegation-threatened Beckenham - which was a sixth straight loss - as they conceded three second-half goals before Frannie Collin converted a late penalty.

Watt said: “Looking at some of the players, you’re thinking ‘Are they just in cruise control now?’. Is it worth staying until the end of the season?

“Initially, I really wanted to do that. I wanted to stay until the end of the season, I wanted to finish on a high with the players, and finish on a high with the club, if you like.

“But then I looked at Saturday and just thought ‘Is that the right thing to do for the club?’. I just thought it wasn’t.

“I think the club needs to get someone in before the end of the season, so the players have got something to play for maybe - in terms of their futures at the club and what have you.

“After what happened on Saturday with some of the players, I just felt it was the right thing to do for the football club.

“The football club needed to look at making a change now, rather than waiting until the end of the season.

“I thought it would benefit the club in terms of giving my notice and maybe give the boys, not a lift as such, but maybe a case of ‘Look, I’m not going to be here next year. Let’s finish on a high’. But I just thought it seemed to have the opposite effect to that on Saturday.

“I thought it would be better for the club to accelerate that process of getting someone in. Maybe selfishly, I wanted to stay and see the season out, so I could say ‘bye’ to everyone at the end of the season.

“Maybe it was a bit selfish of me wanting to do that - I was grateful the club agreed to that - but during the second half in particular, I didn’t think it was fair on the club.

“They needed to get someone in now to start rebuilding for next year because I think it will be another rebuilding process.

“The quicker they can get someone in, the better.”

Hythe reached the Play-off Final last season and made the FA Trophy last-32 this term.

They were in the hunt for a top-five league finish again until recently, their present losing run starting as the side played four matches in a seven-day period last month.

“We were just running out of steam a little bit,” admitted Watt. “I feel for the players.

“They have given a lot this year. It’s been a difficult year in terms of the pitch and stuff like that.

“But I’m still proud of what we have done this year.

“The last 32 of the FA Trophy is nothing to be disappointed with. It’s a very good achievement for a club of our size.

“There’s lots to be proud of - it’s just a shame that it’s ended this way. I don’t think the players are going out, meaning to not play well and stuff.

“But the effort levels have dropped significantly, particularly in the last two games. You just wonder if that’s corresponding with the season petering out if you like.

“With me leaving, were some of the players just thinking ‘Oh well, we’re just going through the motions?’. Whereas, if a new manager comes in. the players’ mentalities might change slightly.

“But I’m still proud of what we did this year. The last 32 in the Trophy and, up until recently, we were still in the hunt in the play-offs.

“I think the week of Saturday-to-Tuesday-to-Thursday-to-Saturday may have finished us off.”

Assistant Alex Flisher and player-coach Collin have agreed to take charge following Watt’s departure.

With the Cannons hosting Phoenix Sports on Saturday and Sittingbourne next Tuesday, after visiting promotion-chasing Three Bridges on Tuesday, Watt said: “If they left, I don’t know who would take the team!

“It’s very much a case of we don’t want to let anyone down. On Saturday, I was thinking that Alex Flisher is away for the game at Three Bridges, so I was going to take that and leave after that because Alex wasn’t there to take it.

“But I had a conversation with Frannie and he said he was more than happy to do it. That allowed me to leave on Saturday after the game. It’s how we are built as people, we don’t like letting people down.

“I haven’t decided to walk away easily because I feel like I’m letting people down - the players and the board - by walking away. But I genuinely think it’s the right thing to do.”

Watt, moving on after nearly five years at Hythe, having previously managed Margate as well, has no intentions of being out of the dug-out for long.

He stated: “I want to be somewhere at the start of next season - it’s as simple as that.

“I think I’ve done a good job here (at Hythe).

“That doesn’t always mean you get opportunities elsewhere, then the opportunity has got to match what I want to do. It’s got to fit both parties.

“I want to be somewhere ambitious, successful and try to be successful there. I would have loved to have done it here - but I just think that it needs a change.

“Hopefully, I’ll have a couple of phone calls and I’ll keep my eye out to see what’s available in the summer and try to get back in as soon as possible.”

The Cannons’ midweek trip to Three Bridges was an incredible game - as they lost 8-3!

Trailing 5-0 at half-time, a midfielder Bradley Schafer hat-trick gave them hope.

But that was as good as it got for Hythe, the hosts adding three more goals in the second half.

Email Chairman@HytheTownFC.co.uk if you’re interested in becoming Hythe’s new manager.