FAWZI Saadi is the second man to be named as the new boss of Christchurch this summer.

On May 10, Priory announced Wayne Smith as the club's new manager, following the departure of Callum Brooks.

A statement from the club read: “The committee have come to a decision to appoint Wayne Smith as our new first team manager.

"We are delighted to welcome Wayne back into the Christchurch FC family and look forward to working closely with the new management team and players to bring the magic back to the bridge this coming season."

However, just a month later, Christchurch announced via social media: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Fawzi Saadi as our first team manager to lead us into this coming season.

"On behalf of the club and our players we wish him the very best and we welcome Fawzi to Hurn Bridge."

Despite Saadi's arrival, there has been no official mention of what that means for Smith's role.

The Daily Echo understands Smith has now departed Christchurch, just weeks after being tasked with leading the club into the Wessex League season.

His exit is understood to have been sparked by an approach from a fellow Wessex Premier outfit for Smith to instead become their new boss.

Smith, alongside Ollie Cherrett, memorably guided Christchurch into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2020, before eventually losing on penalties to Dulwich Hamlet, in a match streamed by the BBC.

Cherrett then moved on to managed Shaftesbury in 2021, but parted ways with the Rockies this summer.

Former Blackfield & Langley boss Saadi, 37, arrives at Christchurch having ended last season in a player-coach role with Southern League Division One South outfit Sholing.

Saadi, who also played for Blackfield earlier in the 2021-22 campaign, started his football career with Priory, before moving to Cherries.

He has played for various clubs since, including Poppies, Poole Town and Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad.

Christchurch finished 19th in the Wessex Premier last season.