Steve Watt has resigned as Hythe Town manager - believing his decision to be in the club’s best interests.

Hythe held a meeting with Watt on Sunday, during which proposals were set out to effectively “buy some time” while they attempt to secure additional funding following the loss of a donor.

But Watt, who took charge two years ago, feels they should cut their cloth immediately, rather than risk overstretching themselves to meet figures which might not be sustainable.

“I genuinely think it’s in the best interests of the club for me to resign,” said Watt, whose final game in charge was a 1-0 win at Isthmian South East high-fliers Haywards Heath on Saturday.

“I came here to win promotion and to achieve things.

“Through no fault of their own, the job has completely changed now.

“The job I took, with the ambition, has gone, and that’s through Covid and being let down by sponsors.

“The budget’s been reduced in the last two seasons and it’s going to have to be reduced again.

“It’s in the club’s best interests to make the changes they need to make with the budget now, rather than trying to buy time.

“By me leaving they can start afresh with a new manager and a new budget.

“The club’s been fantastic with me the whole time I’ve been here - this is the hardest decision I’ve had to make.

“The way they’ve handled the whole situation has been incredible, they couldn’t have handled it any better.

“They’ve done everything they can to accommodate me and keep me, and I cannot speak highly enough of the board.

“But I don’t see why the club should overstretch themselves to keep me and some of the players, in the hope money comes in.

“Make the changes you need to make now.

“They’re at a time where they need to think of the longer term in making sure the club’s fine.”

Watt succeeded Sam Denly in September 2019 with Hythe struggling near the foot of the table after a poor start.

He rebuilt the squad and the Cannons were in play-off contention when the campaign was halted due to the Covid pandemic.

They were challenging again when last season was scrapped.

And while Watt’s side made an indifferent start this season, their return of seven points from a run of five difficult away games was more than respectable.

“I’m going out a high, if you like, because we had a great result at Haywards Heath with a depleted team,” said Watt, who leaves the Cannons in 11th place.

“We’ve had a horrendous run of five away games - three of them against the top three.

“We’ve lost only two of those five and won two of the last three so it’s not a bad time to go.

“We’ve got winnable games coming up, against teams below us in the league.

“By going now, it gives a new manager a chance to come in and make a good start.

“I’d started to make some changes but I feel this is the best way for the club because it’s really difficult to continue making changes when there’s uncertainty.”

Watt managed Margate and was assistant manager and then caretaker boss at Maidstone before ending a year out of the game with his appointment at Hythe.

He’s keen to make a swift return to the dugout.

“I’d really like to get back in as quickly as possible,” said Watt. “I’m only 36, I’m open to any position, manager, coach, assistant manager, whatever.

“I love my football and I love being involved so I’d like to get back in if the right opportunity comes my way.

“It’s not a case of needing a break, I’ve had enough of a break with the Covid lockdowns.

“I hope an opportunity comes up and someone thinks I’m good enough to go in and do a job.”

In the interim, assistant manager Nathan Elder and player-coach Frannie Collin will take charge for Saturday's match at home to Whitstable.

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