League Two newboys York City part company with their manager Stuart Maynard just 8 days before their season gets underway.
Well it was rumoured by fans for much of the weekend, but the news confirmed by the club still comes as a shock to many. The Minstermen are on the search for a new manager.
He guided them to the title with 108 points for the 2025/26 National League season, setting a record in the process, and ended their 10 year stay in non league.
York City Football Club can confirm that Stuart Maynard will be leaving his role as First Team Manager, with immediate effect.
This has not been an easy decision, and it is not one the board has taken lightly. Ultimately, it comes down to a difference in direction and vision for… pic.twitter.com/jI9V66n3QH
— York City FC (@YorkCityFC) July 26, 2026
I’m overwhelmed with the number of fans at our game tonight. We appreciate every single one of you for making the trip out to Spain to support us. Thank you! All in it together ❤️💙 #YCFC pic.twitter.com/DeTfPRAezl
— Stuart Maynard (@stumaynard) July 24, 2026
A statement read: “York City Football Club can confirm that Stuart Maynard will be leaving his role as First Team Manager, with immediate effect.
“This has not been an easy decision, and it is not one the board has taken lightly. Ultimately, it comes down to a difference in direction and vision for the football club.
“We recognise that, from the outside, this may look like a strange or difficult decision to understand. But we believe that in the long term, the football club will be in a stronger position because of it, another step towards the vision we, as custodians of this club, believe will deliver sustained success.
“Like every one of you, we love this football club, and we would never make a decision we didn’t believe was in its best long-term interests. We hope our track record of improving year on year has earned us a degree of trust, and we understand that not everyone will agree with, or fully understand, this decision right away.
“We would like to thank Stuart for his contribution to York City FC and wish him well for the future.”
Here’s the social media reaction as York City part company with their manager 8 days before their season gets underway…
@27alfie27: Literally what’s the point. Gave us best season ever and go bin him off. Good luck stu deserve more 🔴🔵
@ReeceHope3: Trust the process? Well start explaining the process.. because it makes zero sense at this stage. #YCFC
@WillCrisp13: As if his final ever competitive game will be that Rochdale all timer, just bizarre
@ycfc_george: What the fuck is wrong with this club
@JakeScott7744: 2 seasons in a row where it seems there’s issues behind the scenes, very concerning.
@YCFC_Coops: Bags of money, but know Jack 💩 about the game of football. Respect to Stuart Maynard, potentially the best manager #ycfc have ever had. This process we get told to trust, what actually is it @matt_uggla ?
@jahiggins208: Transparency is needed from the club. If we immediately appoint a new manager then the reason isn’t “a difference in direction and vision”. It’ll show we’ve gone behind Maynard’s back and disrespected him like we did Hinshelwood. It’s complete instability for anyone coming in.
@Sam_Hendry14: Well that is just pure stupidity. A week before the season starts, getting rid of the bloke who’s just brought the club together. For all the good the owners do, they love to go do the most stupid shit straight after.
@mapleiron1: We welcome Matt Ugla as first team manager
@TS_Minstermen: Crazy. Unsure as to what you even say…
@SLedgard77841: Fucking hell guys you love sacking successful managers don’t you. Jermain Defoe and Ashvir Singh Johal are both out a job? 😂😂
@danintheden: Very ballsy move, getting rid of a manager who delivered such a record breaking and successful season. Huge huge shoes to fill, as I can imagine there is a lot of expectation now. Thank you Stuart and team for taking us home ❤️ #ycfc
@YCFC1972: You just don’t treat people like this I’m afraid. Absolutely terrible management. Even if you do bring somebody else in and they do well it’s not the point. Stuart deserved a chance and this has fucked me right off. Very, very, very poor.
@_Faizye: best manager in my 19 years of living. produced the best season in our history. managed the best moment the football club has ever seen, which will be remembered as the most dramatic 10 mins of football ever (or certainly considered). what the actual fuck are we doing?
@M3GS96: We need answers! And very fast! What the actual fuck! If we don’t have a new manager announced by Monday lunch time fans will turn – not another season in a row, absolutely ludicrous!
@rmf80: Just be fucking normal for once please!
@YcFc_Sisso: Come to York City, if you excel at your job. You get the sack! 🎉
@daleymayall01: Matt, this is fucking madness. Irrespective of any difference of opinion or small argument, it’s the wrong call. Stuart deserved to manage us in the FL.
@cologinokeel: Naa sorry but this is just wrong. SM should be having a statue built outside the ground, not given the boot. We got promoted back to the EFL, what everyone wanted, SM a huge part of it. We’re becoming a Salford / Watford with more managers than seasons – no one wants that #ycfc
@Spencer93971733: Just gave him all of pre season and now decide it’s not working matt you’ve got to pull of something special at least with hinsh u could justify it but this is mad
