Non-league manager, 35, quits to take charge of opposition just hours before FA Cup clash

BRETT MUNYARD has sensationally quit Aveley to take charge of their FA Cup opponents Brentwood Town, just days before the two clubs meet. The 35-year-old left Aveley after a year in charge to become Brentwood’s new boss ahead of Saturday’s second qualifying round clash. The FA Cup game between Aveley and Brentwood Town will have an extra bite because of new Brentwood manager Brett Munyard Credit: Getty Munyard informed Aveley he was leaving this week to take the vacant role at Brentwood Town Credit: Alamy And Aveley chairman Craig Johnson admitted the timing of the shock switch “could not have been worse”. Munyard informed the club on Thursday evening that he was leaving, with the Millers due to face his new side at Parkside just 48 hours later. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! It means Munyard will have to watch on as Brentwood take on the club he has spent the past 18 months working to build. The manager enjoyed an impressive campaign with Aveley last season, guiding them to second place in the Isthmian Premier following their relegation from the National League South. But it was Brentwood who ended Aveley’s promotion hopes with a 4-1 play-off semi-final victory. The Blues eventually lost 2-1 to Billericay Town in the final, but their victory over Aveley proved a major blow to Munyard’s side. Now, the two clubs will meet again with Munyard at the centre of one of the most unusual managerial switches in non-league football. Johnson did not hide his frustration at the timing of the move. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS He said: “Disappointingly Brett called me this evening, just prior to training commencing and ahead of our important FA Cup tie with Brentwood on Saturday to tell me he was leaving to join our opponents. “The timing could not have been worse.” Johnson confirmed that Adam Bailey-Dennis will take charge of Aveley for the cup clash and called on supporters to rally behind the team. Meanwhile, Brentwood had been searching for a new manager after Keith Rowland left the club with assistant Steve Butterworth on Wednesday. Rowland had enjoyed considerable success, guiding Brentwood to the Isthmian League North Division title in his second season before another play-off final appearance last term. Munyard now takes over with Brentwood looking to halt a miserable run of six straight defeats after winning their opening game of the season. The new boss said he was “delighted” to join Brentwood and insisted the club’s ambition matched his own. He said: “I’m an ambitious person and I want to be part of a club that wants to keep progressing, improving and pushing forward.” Munyard also issued an emotional farewell to Aveley, admitting his decision to leave had been “hugely difficult” for him. Comment now