STEVE BAKER admits it was a difficult decision to leave Chipstead for Ryman League Premier Division strugglers Harrow Borough, revealing he had previously turned down other offers to leave High Road.
Harrow announced Baker as their new manager on Sunday and the former Walton & Hersham boss admitted it was a "whirlwind".
"It certainly wasn't planned. It was a bit out of the blue," he said. "I had a meeting with Harrow on Friday and then I was offered the job after our game on Saturday.
"It was always going to be a difficult decision to leave Chipstead because I've enjoyed my time there. I've had two other offers to manager at the same level but if I was going to leave Chipstead, it was going to be for a move upwards, because I am ambitious."
When Baker, and his assistant Jesse Smith arrived at Chipstead in November 2013, the High Road club were relegation favourites and the manager is "proud" of where he leaves them 14 months later.
"I had a great time at Chipstead and I know Jesse and I have done a great job there," he said. "The last two or three months have been a bit disappointing with a few players leaving and some injuries and if I'm honest, with the players that are there I still believe they should be higher in the league."
And Baker believes the challenge at Harrow will be even tougher than the one he faced at Chipstead.
"Harrow are in a dire situation," he said. "When I took over at Chipstead it was the start of November, but Harrow only have 15 games left and probably need to win eight or nine of those to stay up. It's going to be one hell of a challenge."
