RICHARD Hill has been appointed Eastleigh’s manager for next season.

Hill returned to the Silverlake Stadium in February as director of football/caretaker boss after Martin Allen was sacked.

Hill will be assisted by Andy Hessenthaler, who was player/manager of Gillingham when Hill was his assistant a few years ago.

Hill was first appointed Eastleigh boss midway through the 2012/13 season. In his first full campaign, 2013/14, he guided the club to the Conference South title.

The following season, in Eastleigh’s first ever Conference National season, he took them into the play-offs.

Hill left Eastleigh shortly into the 2015/16 season.

Hessenthaler has been out of football since being sacked as Leyton Orient manager last September.