Craig Fagan, the former Premier League forward, is enjoying a successful start to his first managerial role at National League South side Maidstone United. Since his appointment in April, the 43-year-old has guided the club to the top of the table after 10 league matches, winning six, drawing one and losing three to collect 19 points.
Early Success and FA Cup Disappointment
Despite an early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Isthmian League Premier side Cray Wanderers, Fagan's tenure has been marked by a positive league campaign. Reflecting on his first six months, he told The Mirror: "Enjoyable; you get less sleep being a manager because your mind is always going, but I've enjoyed every minute so far."
He added: "Similar in terms of assistant manager, but the only difference now is decisions and the results lie on me more than what it is as an assistant manager, but I'm enjoying every minute of it so far."
Regarding the FA Cup exit, Fagan said: "Disappointing to be out of the FA Cup, of course. Our club has always done well since I've been here in terms of getting through the rounds, so it was a disappointment this season."
Playing Style and Influences
Fagan's Maidstone side mirrors his playing style: hard-working, high-energy, and direct. They aim to get the ball forward quickly, deliver crosses, and press intensely to win the ball back. Maidstone have scored in all 10 league matches this season, the only team in the division to do so, with striker Tom Leahy joint-second in the top goalscorers list with five goals.
Fagan, who played for Hull City, Derby County, and Birmingham City, acknowledged his admiration for Jurgen Klopp and his former assistant Pep Lijnders. He said: "I was a big fan of Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp was there in terms of the way they like to attack quickly, play football at the right times. He's someone I've studied, the way they play."
He also shared his experience of learning from Lijnders during his UEFA A License: "He was excellent and he was pretty open in terms of how he went about things. Some of the stuff he's done, especially with Jurgen Klopp, with their sessions, is some of the stuff which I simply tried to bring in."
Looking Ahead
After retiring in 2015, Fagan coached Hull City's Under 23s, Southend United, and Welling United before joining Maidstone. Having lost two consecutive matches to Cray and Truro City, Fagan and his side aim to return to winning ways when they travel to Horsham on Saturday.
