Lancing FC have announced that popular manager Dave Altendorff has left the club for a job in Step 3. 

Altendorff led the club to a 6th placed finish in the Isthmian League South East Division, narrowly missing out on play-offs. 

His arrival last summer was his second stint at the club following his tenure during the 2019/20 campaign in which he won the league. 

The club have improved immensely under Altendorff, with the manager taking the club from mid-table to pushing for promotion. 

In a statement, officials at Lancing respected his decision to take a job at a higher level.

Chairman Barry Sutton said: “Dave has always been completely fair and transparent with me and always made it clear that he would be open to taking the right role at a Step 3 club. While we are obviously sad to see him go, we are also pleased that he is stepping up and continuing on his journey to manage at a higher level.”

Fans have taken to social media to express their feelings surrounding the departure. 

Altendorff’s success at Lancing was dubbed “an incredible achievement” and it will be interesting to see where he ends up next. 

Step 3 Hastings United is a club that could be looking at securing Altendorff’s signature.

The U’s are currently without a manager and sit in the Isthmian League Premier Division, a move that would also make sense geographically for Altendorff. 

Lancing FC will be on the look out for a managerial replacement with the club hoping to achieve a play-off finish next season.