Dennis Kutrieb: Ebbsfleet sack manager after falling into relegation zone

Dennis Kutrieb led Ebbsfleet to the National League South title with a record 103 points last season

Ebbsfleet have sacked manager Dennis Kutrieb after falling into the National League relegation zone.

The 44-year-old German led The Fleet to the National League South title with 103 points last season.

Saturday's defeat at bottom side Oxford City was their 17th in 31 games and they are three points off the foot with rivals having games in hand.

A club statement said it had been a "difficult decision" to remove him after more than three years in the job.

"Heading into a crucial final three months of the campaign, the club's number-one priority is to maintain our status in the division," the statement added.

"Such decisions are never easy to make, especially off the back of such a remarkable and record-breaking previous season, but the status of the football club must always take priority and be foremost when making these big decisions."

First-team coach Chris Franks has also left the Kent club.