Background
He was born in Enfield, London to Turkish Cypriot parents.
He was born in Enfield, London to Turkish Cypriot parents.
Playing career
Hayrettin began his career as an apprentice with Leyton Orient, turning professional in July 1988. He was released without breaking into the first team, joining Barnet in August 1989. However, Hayrettin made only six appearances (all as a substitute) for Barnet in the league.
He also played in their FA Trophy winning side.
He joined Wycombe on a free transfer in July 1993, playing 19 games, and scoring once, a memorable goal against Preston North End, helping Wycombe to a second successive promotion, via the play-offs. In August 1994 he moved to Cambridge United on a free transfer, moving on to Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer in July 1995.
He never made the first team with Doncaster and was released in October 1996. He joined Peterborough United, but a serious injury forced him to retire from full-time football in 1997.
He joined Watford as a youth coach, but continued his player career in non-league football with Heybridge Swifts before moving on to Hayes, Rushden & Diamonds and Harrow Borough.
He played for Barnet as a trialist on 31 August 1999, making a substitute appearance against Boreham Wood, who he would spend the 1999–2000 season with. He left Boreham Wood in July 2000 to rejoin Harrow Borough, both as a player and a coaching assistant, whilst working as a stock processing manager. He had left Harrow by September 2001.
Managerial career
Hayrettin joined Waltham Forest as manager in the 2003 close season, resigning in May 2006 to take over as manager of Conference South side Thurrock.
On taking over at Thurrock, Hayrettin was quoted as saying that "the challenge of raising a "sleeping giant" was too much to resist". On 26 May 2011, he was appointed manager of Isthmian League Division One North side Grays Athletic, signing a two-year contract.
He led the club to the play-offs in his first season in charge, but lost in the semi-final. In the 2012-2013 season Hayrettin led Grays to promotion into the Isthmian League Premier Division with a club-record 102 points, only losing four league games throughout the campaign.
lieutenant was announced on 5 July 2013 that Hayrettin had left Grays to join John Still"s coaching team at Conference Premier side Luton Town.