York City part company with Stuart Maynard after promotion season

Stuart Maynard has left York City, only three months after guiding the club to the National League title and a return to the English Football League. The club attributed the decision to a strategic disagreement over the future direction of the team.

The timing is striking because Maynard’s short spell included a landmark promotion after York’s 10-year absence from the EFL. York sealed the National League crown in dramatic fashion against Rochdale and finished the campaign with 108 points.

Maynard had taken charge in August 2025 after replacing Adam Hinshelwood, making his exit unusually abrupt given the scale of the achievement. The club’s statement suggested the board believes the move is part of a longer-term plan, though no detailed alternative direction was outlined.

York’s next steps will come quickly, with a Carabao Cup preliminary-round match against Crawley Town scheduled for 3 August before their League Two opener at home to Bristol Rovers 12 days later. The immediate question is whether the club can preserve promotion momentum while changing leadership.