TERRY SPILLANE believes he was a victim of his early success at Maldon & Tiptree after leaving the club in his third season in charge.
The Jammers announced the departure of their manager after the 2-1 defeat to Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, their third loss on the bounce.
And Spillane believes that the high expectations after his outstanding first season at the club – reaching the Ryman One North play-off final – led to negativity this season.
He said: "It is a good team there, a new team, but there are some good players. I just felt that I had didn't have time and was just under pressure to win every game. I don't mind that but every time we lost there was just negativity, which I didn't like.
"That is not how the get the best out of me, I needed people to back me.
"Without a doubt it was because of getting so close to promotion in my first season.
"No disrespect to anybody, before I came I don't think the club were regarded as potential league champions or a major force in the league and I think I changed that.
"Everybody wants to be at Maldon & Tiptree and they know that if they come to Maldon and do well then they will be in a good side.
"That is something I am proud of and it is fine margins, because we missed out on getting into the Ryman Premier by a penalty shoot-out.
"I just got that feeling that when we were losing that it was the end of the world. You need to know how to lose and I think certain people at the club have just got so used to me building sides that are winning or are up there that they expect it every week.
"That is just impossible and you can't be the best all the time, unless of course you have the money to do that. There are lots of clubs that have more or much more money than Maldon and all these things add up.
"But the main thing for me leaving was that I just wasn't enjoying it as much, it's as simple as that."
However, Spillane paid tribute to chairman Ed Garty, who is now on the search for a manger to take over at the Jammers.
He said: "I have a lot of time for the chairman. He is a good guy and we are friends away from football, which made it even more difficult. But that is football and I am sure it was the right decision for me and for the club. I genuinely hope they get on a good run and do well."
