Pic: Alun Roberts
SOUTHPORT are searching for their eighth manager in three years following Dino Maamria’s resignation for “family and travel reasons”.
The former Northwich Victoria boss, and Stevenage and Preston assistant, took charge of the Sandgrounders in November, replacing Paul Carden.
He oversaw a dramatic upturn in results with Southport winning seven of his first eight games in charge as they climbed out of the relegation zone in the National League.
However, they have won just twice since the turn of the year and let a 3-0 lead slip to draw 3-3 with struggling Welling United on Saturday.
That result left them 17th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation places but Maamria has departed with eight games left to play.
His post-match comments on Saturday gave no hints that he may be about to depart as he told BBC Radio Merseyside: “For some reason the team at home are very hesitant and I’ve got to find out why.
“That’s been happening before my time here and we need to get to the bottom of it to give the players confidence.
“Ranting is going to get you nowhere because these are the players I inherited and I’ve got to work with them at least until the end of the season.
“From day one I said I don’t really get sucked into the table too much because you end up losing focus on the next game.”
A Sandgrounders statement said: “Southport Football Club confirm that manager Dino Maamria has left his post due to family and travel reasons.
“We would like to thank Dino for his efforts during his successful spell in charge and wish him the best in the future.”
