CLIFF Akurang was philosophical about his departure as manager of Heybridge Swifts.

The Scraley Road club announced on Tuesday that they had decided they no longer required Akurang’s services following a meeting of the committee on Monday night.

With the Ryman League north season only six games old Akurang had secured only one win, beating Soham Town Rangers 4-2, one draw and four losses.

However, Akurang did lead Swifts to a 2-1 FA Cup preliminary round victory at Redbridge.

Akurang’s final game was a goal-less draw at, then, second from bottom Barkingside last weekend.

After Tuesday night’s result Barkingside slipped to the bottom of the table.

He said: “The results haven’t been that great and ultimately something had to change.

“No-one wants to be leaving their job at this point in the season but that’s football.

“Expectancy is high at the club and I didn’t deliver but I look at it as when one door closes another one opens.”

Akurang was named Swifts boss in December last year after Keith Wilson was sacked with the club in the bottom three.

He then drove the club up the table to finish the 2014-15 season in 12th place.

Akurang also finished the season on a high, winning the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup in a 2-0 derby victory in the final against Maldon and Tiptree.

Akurang said: “I know when I came into the club it was struggling and I was asked to keep them up.

“I did that. I achieved what was asked of me and a little bit more and put some silverware on the table.

“But it is up to other people to decide for themselves whether I have been wrongly dismissed or the decision was justified.

“The players and supporters have seen the work I have done and I can leave the club with my head held high.

“I always stay positive and dignified in what I do.

“I have always been a fan of the club and that will never change.

“There are a long line of things that have to happen for a club to get success.

“Someone starts something then it is down to someone else to finish it.

“I am happy to have played my part in that at Heybridge.

“I think people will see some of that in the youth and development teams as well over the coming months.

“A lot of my focus has been on that in the first few weeks of the season and they are in a good place and I am sure they will push on from here.”

Akurang is now going to take a break from football for a while to assess his situation and see what offers come in.

He added: “It is a chance to de-stress and look at what I can learn from this season and see what things I could do better.”

Swifts are now one point above the drop zone following Tuesday night’s defeat against Great Wakering Rovers.

Swifts have four points with Soham Town Rangers nipping at their heels.

Caretaker manager Mark Ashford took charge of the team but Swifts were beaten 3-2 at Scraley Road.