'Strange or difficult decision': Promoted York City sack boss Stuart Maynard
York City have sacked manager Stuart Maynard, who secured promotion back to the English Football League last season.
Maynard guided the Minstermen to the National League title, his side equalising in the 13th minute of stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw with promotion rivals Rochdale on the final day of the campaign.
York said it had “not been an easy decision” and was “not one the board has taken lightly”, but ultimately came down to “a difference in direction and vision for the football club” as they prepare for life in Sky Bet League Two.
The club 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.”
York won promotion last season after they ended the campaign on 108 points, having replaced Adam Hinshelwood with former Notts County boss Maynard in August 2025.
The Minstermen are due to kick-off life back in the Football League on August 15, when they host Bristol Rovers in League Two. They face an EFL Cup preliminary round tie against Crawley on August 3.
Early names in the frame to replace Maynard, according to the bookies, are Karl Robinson, Danny Crowley and Matt Bloomfield.