Ex-England striker, 48, becomes shock new manager at South Shields

Ex-England striker, Kevin Philips, 48, becomes the shock new manager at South Shields just hours after axing Graham Fenton on Sunday.

Fenton’s successor will be former Sunderland, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Southampton ace Phillips, surprising many of the club’s fanbase.

Some have claimed that this ‘stinks’ of a publicity stint, however others have argued that all managers have to start somewhere while hoping that his time at the club will be as successful as Julio Arca’s who played for them a few years back.

We can announce that the decision has been made to relieve Graham Fenton of his first-team management responsibilities, and he will now begin a period of gardening leave.

We would like to thank Graham for his incredible efforts and wish him the absolute best moving forwards.

— South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) January 16, 2022

FIRST CLUB STATEMENT:

South Shields FC can announce that the decision has been made to relieve Graham Fenton of his first-team management responsibilities, and he will now begin a period of gardening leave.

Academy manager Wess Brown will take charge of the squad on an interim basis while the club undergoes the process of identifying and appointing Graham’s successor.

Club chairman Geoff Thompson said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision to make.

“Ultimately, results and performances have not met our expectations this season given the investment made in the first-team and the club’s ambition.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Graham for all the tireless work he has dedicated to the club since his arrival in 2016.

“His long list of achievements, coupled with the huge contribution he has made to the club’s overall growth over the last five-and-a-half years, will never be forgotten.

“He leaves the club in a far better place than when he arrived.”

Graham initially joined the club as joint manager in September 2016 alongside Lee Picton, and the pair led the team to three consecutive promotions and six trophy wins.

The 2016-17 season in particular, which culminated in a fourth trophy of the campaign in the FA Vase final at Wembley, will live long in the memory of all those associated with the club.

Everyone at South Shields FC would like to thank Graham for his incredible efforts and wish him the absolute best for his career and life moving forwards. Graham and his family will always be welcome at the club.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kevin Phillips as first-team manager.

Full details 👇

— South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) January 16, 2022

SECOND CLUB STATEMENT:

South Shields Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Kevin Phillips as first-team manager.

Phillips is a renowned figure in the game having enjoyed a hugely successful playing career with clubs including Sunderland, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.

He has since established himself as a greatly respected coach, having held roles with Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City, and is now ready for his first manager’s position.

Phillips will watch from the stands when the Mariners travel to Ashton United in the NPL on Tuesday before taking training for the first time on Thursday.

The former Premier League and EFL striker will then oversee his first game as manager on Saturday as Shields take on Warrington Town away from home.

Phillips said: “I’m absolutely delighted to come on board having been given the opportunity to manage South Shields.

“This is my first taste of management so I’m eager to get going and I’m very, very excited.

“I’d like to thank Geoff Thompson for giving me this opportunity. I’m very grateful for it and am looking forward to working with Geoff and everyone connected with the club.

“The club is very ambitious and is an exciting place to be, which is demonstrated by the investment which has been made in the team and the facilities.

“I’m really looking forward to being part of it and hopefully helping the club move forwards.”

Phillips’ playing career arguably reached its height during his time with Sunderland between 1997 and 2003.

He scored 130 goals in 235 appearances for the Black Cats as he became revered as a club legend, and is the only Englishman to have won the European Golden Shoe, having netted 30 times in the Premier League in the 1999-2000 campaign.

That form helped to earn him eight senior caps for England, and he was part of Kevin Keegan’s squad for Euro 2000.

Phillips is now ready for the challenge ahead as he moves into management.

He added: “I’ve never been shy in saying I’d love a crack at management when the right opportunity arose, and Geoff completely sold this club to me.

“The club is in an area I know very well and have a great affection for, and coupled with that it has great ambition and a vision to grow.

“I’m licking my lips to be part of it.

“I want to win games and be successful, and I hope myself and the players will enjoy the ride together.

“It’s about winning football matches and trying to find a style that is exciting to watch, on the front foot and giving players the freedom to go and play.

“There’s a lot of hard work in front of us but it’s important to have an enjoyable environment in place so that the players come into work, enjoy what they do and get the most out of themselves.”

Club chairman Geoff Thompson said: “We are incredibly excited about the prospect of Kevin joining us and leading our first-team.

“His pedigree, background and experience in the game are substantial and I’m sure he’s going to make a massive impact on the club.

“I’m sure everyone connected to the club will join me in welcoming Kevin with open arms, and I very much look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Phillips is due to meet members of the media on Thursday ahead of taking training for the first time.

A further announcement regarding his backroom team will be made at the earliest opportunity.

South Shields currently sit 3rd in the Northern Premier League – Premier Division (third tier of non league).

They are promotion contenders, picking up 47 points from 23 games played for the 2021/22 season.

However as the board mentioned, they expected better from Fenton, and even though the club has games in hand, they aren’t happy with being where they are.

Twitter users reacted as the ex-England striker, 48, becomes the shock new manager at South Shields…

@bodas73: Hope he does canny for Shields. Sounds like Fenton has been stitched up big time. 3rd in the league been a good manager and KP has no experience especially at this level. Good luck anyway.

@MorganGraySAFC: All the best super Kev. Great opportunity to get some experience as a manager

@owensville16: when julio was first signed some people thought it was just all about the money… but he became an unforgettable legend at shields… lets all get behind super kevin phillips and make him another unforgettable legend at shields utmm… onwards and upward

@spattinson001: Quite the coup this. Seems like they’re going places here

@KJohna77: Newcastle fans absolutely fuming about this going on as tho shields is there club what the fuck good luck super Kev

@AthleticsDad: Wow! That’s a hell of an appointment. Well done 👏👏👏

@KINGST3WART: SUPER KEVIN PHILLIPS

@SteClayton: Absolute madness that

@LiamHenton: WOW. Quite the appointment. Be keeping an eye on their results

@ItsSamson2: Blimey! Hope he does well! #wba

@StevenFlett2: The crazy world of football, not sure how he’s an improvement on Fenton. 🤷‍♂️

@greay10: Hope I’m wrong but this stinks of publicity stunt. Let’s hope it’s as good a one that Julio turned out to be. #UTM

@Stevenufc164: This could go horribly wrong, at least Fenton had the experience and was doing a good job. Smacks of a publicity stunt more than anything!

@Cunnyuk: Fucking hell!!!!!

@CraigPirie18: Always said Shields was me 2nd favourite place