Dom Di Paola says he did not quit Hastings United after only three months due to results.

Di Paola, right, and his backroom team resigned after the New Year’s Day 2-0 defeat at Hythe Town which left the club in 20th position in Ryman south.

But the former East Preston boss insists he never felt United were in danger of relegation but could not be successful the way the club operates.

Di Paola, who was the unanimous choice for the post after Terry White’s resignation in September, told The Argus: “We just feel that situations out of our control have meant we are unable to do what we have always done that have made us successful.

“By staying we are going against every principle we have of how things should be done.

“I want to make it clear we definitely didn't quit due to results. We knew this season would be a struggle and we have got more points from our games in charge than the previous management.

“We also had three more players coming in to improve the team this week and I have not been worried at any stage that we would go down.

“It was just impossible to work in the environment there and we felt staying any longer was just delaying the decision we had already made. The club can now get someone in who can work the way the club is set up at moment and has just under half a season to do it.”

Stunned United chairman Dave Walters will hand the reins to Mark Stapley and goalkeeper coach John Masters for today’s clash with title favourites Burgess Hill while former boss Nigel Kane will be in charge on Wednesday.

Walters admits it is a shocking start to the new year after an early hours break-in at the Pilot Field was followed by the loss in Kent when United were only able to field three substitutes.

Walters said: “This only happened last night (Thursday) so it gives us no time to prepare. We just have got to get through the game and we shall just focus on that.

“Nigel Kane will take over on Wednesday and we shall have the meetings we need to have and make decisions from there.”

Walters, admitted there has been an issue with training facilities but says Di Paola was aware of that when he came to the club.

He said: “There has been a problem with training but Dom knew that from the interview.

“We can’t magic up facilities that are not in the town and we have a big issue with William Parker (Academy).

“We have a written agreement to use a number of their facilities but they have booked them out to someone else. We have considered legal action and still are but they were the training facilities this season.”