Fans react to Kevin Maher’s future at Southend ‘under threat’ days after winning FA Trophy final

Fans react to reports that Kevin Maher’s future at Southend United is ‘under threat’ days after winning the 2026 FA Trophy final.

The 49 year old became the first Southend head coach to lead them to domestic cup glory, beating Wealdstone on penalties to lift the FA Trophy.

But the Shrimpers failed to win promotion, finishing 6th in the table with 81 points from 46 games played, then lost 1-0 to Scunthorpe in the playoff eliminator.

Tuesday sees a board meeting held, discussions to be held over 48 hours as per Southend Echo’s Chris Phillips.

Pete O’Rourke tweeted: “Understand that Southend United are considering the position of head coach Kevin Maher, despite leading them to FA Trophy success last weekend. #shrimpers #southend”

Alex Crook said: “Understand Kevin Maher’s job at National League Southend is under threat despite winning the FA Trophy and leading them into the play-offs.”

Kevin Maher’s future at Southend United is due to be discussed at a board meeting today

Read here: https://t.co/KYhL9fGnD5 pic.twitter.com/Lh2sKfk2wy

— Chris Phillips (@CJPhillips1982) May 19, 2026

Fans react to Kevin Maher’s future at Southend ‘under threat’ just days after winning the FA Trophy final…

@alfie_andrewss: Going to end in tears. He’s not the problem, it’s those higher up

@SimplyShrimpers: Big changes look to be happening at SUFC this summer.

@euniesufc: Interesting 👀 Didn’t even think they would consider it. The way Kev has been talking recently and our back end of the season you’d have thought he was definitely staying.

@__jacklawrence: Best time for a change imo . And the legend can walk away with his head held high 🦐

@JB_Allen: Surely then player contracts won’t have been discussed if we don’t even know about the manager?

@EssexSuffolk1: I have mixed feelings about the thought of Maher going, I am very thankful for what he, Currie and Benno did for us in last 5 years and they are the first management team to win us our first ever national trophy 🏆 in our history. His stock is high, which is a plus for him.

@_fredpalmer_: Whatever happens thanks Kev for everything. 💙🦐

@liamkier59: Depending on players contracts I think he should stay with an option to review in January. If we keep our key players then I see no reason why we shouldn’t be in top 3 at Xmas. If we are further down the league then time for a change.

@Davidfitzy18: Gotta stay for me built soo much already this could all go if not cautious. If he stays with the quality of the league we will get out. Vitally important he stays for players to stay as well the togetherness he and the staff have built cannot be undermined.

@merlinsbeard66: Think it’s time for him to go but I am worried about who we will get and for the future

@musicalshrimper: I didn’t see that coming

@RichardMander40: The glue that has held everything together for the last few years. This could be a very high risk ground zero.

@JemRoss21: With everything thats happened I will always be grateful but I feel a change now is absolutely the right time 🥹

Speaking to the club’s media, Maher said: “Yeah, I’m so proud, you know, of everyone connecting with the football club and, you know, it’s such a tough game that coming out the right side.

“It’s huge for the for the football club and for the fans who who suffered so much, you know, that they get to experience this at Wembley for the second time and you know, when coming here, you should never get complacent over it. Never take it for granted.

“I can’t salute the fans enough, who turned out huge numbers, but the players as well, you know, I thought they’re outstanding.”

On winning via penalties, and if it sums up the Southend United way: “Yeah, a little bit. I know we’ve done it here before.

“I think at the other end actually and in yellow, which is nice, but it’s difficult the lead up to this because the time off you know a lot of stuff and to come and play is real hard game you know and I got to pay tribute to probably Nathan Ralph who hasn’t played since gone football away to go through 90 minutes as he’s there is a testament to his professionalism and his character and Collin Andeng Ndi stepped up big time in that penalty shootout with two huge saves.

“Yeah I think they’re brilliant saves. I think he played ever so well today as well, Collin. And you know, he’s been a little bit up and down this season at times, but I really fancied him in the in the penalties.

“You know, he’s he’s so agile against the box or the goal ever so quickly. And I say to the lads on the side, I really fancy him to save the couple and, you know, he produced the goods.”

On Gus Scott-Morriss with the winning penalty and the emotions: “I didn’t watch it. He score the winning goal in Forest Green in the last penalty shootout we had and I just thought I’m not going to watch this one and I just see the reaction and you know for Gus, you know, what a player, what a person man, what he’s done for this football club and you know he’s since he’s walked through the door, the winning goal last year played in the playoffs Forest Green , the amount of goals he’s scored, what a professional you know and for him to get that was fitting in front of our own fans.”

On the players: “I can’t tell you how proud and, you know, of them I am all season, you know, we’re disappointed to lose at Scunthorpe. That’s the playoffs, that happens, but for them, they deserve this. I said all along in the, you know, whenever we’re in the trophy games, you know, Wembley is a huge prize. You know, winning to Wembley is something you that you’ll have that for the rest of your life now, you know, and them players have done that.

“What they’ve done for this football club is, as you say, it’s the first one domestic trophy the club’s ever won. And, you know, them players will will go down in history for this football club.”

Interviewer: “And from where the club was when you came in and to to today, it’s been some journey to Wembley Finals. It didn’t go the way we wanted it last year, but success for this football club, it must be just an unbelievable feeling.”

Kevin: “Yeah, listen, as I said, was on his knees when I come through the door and you know, the state it was in right out the club, so to have what we had last year and to have what we had this year, you know, won trophies as a player, as a captain, you know, I’m winning it as a manager, which I’m so proud of, everyone connected that has played their part and there’s been a lot of staff this year who’ve played their part and we thank them you know so proud you know I think the relief of winning and I love winning football matches, I love winning trophies.”

Interviewer: “Done it as a player but now to do it as a player as a manager and deliver silverware for the club for everything like you sort of touched on that you your staff have have done and I mean it’s reward for for that hard work isn’t it.”

Kevin: Yeah and I think for everyone I think you people like yourself, I know what you’ve gone through at this football club. You know, I know people have moved on and you should enjoy you tonight. You know, the other staff who who are moving on, they deserve this as much as all of us. And you know, I think when you’re a figurehead for this football club, as I am in terms of the football is taking care of the people in in your charge, if you want, is the most important thing. And it’s always been that way for me. And I’m just pleased for them that they can get to enjoy nights days and nights like this.”

Interviewer: “And a football club is for its supporters. You know, the supporters are are what stick by the club through so much. But yeah, they’re, you know, they’ve turned out in huge numbers today. And, you know, unbelievable support all season long.”

Kevin: “Absolutely. And as I say, I can speak about the staff and the players, you know, but without the fans, you know, there is no football player and especially at this this club, what the fans have been through, the numbers they turn up in, you know, they deserve days like this, you know, cuz they’re they’re few and far between and you’ve got to make the most of and the fans should enjoy tonight and look forward to it.”