Southend United manager Sol Campbell leaves the newly relegated club by mutual consent, it has been confirmed on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old former footballer took charge of the Shrimpers back in October 2019, but won only four of his 23 games in charge.
They were relegated after the League One season was ended in June, three months after matches were halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Club Statement: Sol Campbell and his backroom staff leave the club by mutual consent.
— Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) June 30, 2020
The club statement read: Southend United Football Club can confirm that Manager Sol Campbell and his backroom staff have left Blues by mutual consent.
Sol joined the back club in October 2019 and picked up his first win against AFC Wimbledon in the Leasing.com Trophy (EFL Trophy), which was followed by his first league win against Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium in January 2020.
Also departing Southend United is Hermann Hreiðarsson, Andy Cole and Tony Colbert.
A spokesman for the club said: “We are grateful to Sol Campbell for his contribution whilst manager. Sol arrived at a time when the team were struggling and began to make a difference just as Covid-19 interrupted the season.
“Sol’s use of the club’s young talent was a breath of fresh air who responded well to his stewardship.
“The club wishes to thank Sol and wish him, together with his management team, well for the future.”
Sol Campbell gave his thoughts: “I have really enjoyed my time at Southend United Football Club, and whilst it was a difficult time fighting relegation, I still enjoyed the experience.
“We still managed to put together positive results, whilst also giving debuts to a number of the club’s talented young players. Southend have a great group of young players coming through from the academy, which was evident in our 3-1 home win against Bristol Rovers in our last game before lockdown.
“There are obviously frustrations with how the season ended abruptly, and with what points we feel could have been amassed.
“However, the club have an exciting future with the plans for the new stadium in place, but with the current global COVID situation having a profound effect on businesses, I am keen not to be a financial burden to the club.
“I also want to thank the fans for their support throughout my time at Southend and wish the club and all the support staff the very best for the future.”
The Shrimpers are now looking for their fourth manager in two years, following the departures of Phil Brown (2013-2018), Chris Powell (2018-2019), Kevin Bond (2019) and of course the latest being Sol Campbell (2019-2020).
Fans reacted after learning that the Southend manager leaves by mutual consent…
Good riddance I say, not interested in us, get someone in who understands the club, will get the best out of the youngsters and actually cares
— Sam (@samgoody23) June 30, 2020
Gonna be hell to pay if he doesn’t get the city job when pep steps down in the summer
— Peter Stuyvesant* (@EatTom01) June 30, 2020
— Rylee Doe (@rylee_doe) June 30, 2020
It’s time! pic.twitter.com/e8qbkgYRoX
— Charlie Toomer (@REALCharlieT) June 30, 2020
Never liked his personality but genuinely thought he could mould the youngsters.
Don’t necessarily blame him for calling it a day, the club is a shambles from the top.
But, not being in contact with players, as duty of care, he horrendously failed.
Good riddance.
— EssexDons (@DonsEssex) June 30, 2020
Just don’t take another a million years to hire someone else
— Kieran Staggs (@_KieranStaggs_) June 30, 2020
Greatest mind in football he would have you believe…
— DiamondLights (@Sunny_THFC) June 30, 2020
Right that’s it I’m applying ??
— James Wakeling (@JamesWakeling1) June 30, 2020
Cared more about himself
— James (@james__kelly1) June 30, 2020
Thanks for the memories https://t.co/b7Jufw4iMO
— BukaMania89 (@BukaMania89) June 30, 2020
— Theo Paphitis (@TheoPaphitis4) June 30, 2020
Such a shame. He was doing such a good job.
— James Kemble (@Kemble24) June 30, 2020
Thank fuck he’s gone
— Owen Curson (@OwenDCurson) June 30, 2020
One Adam Barrett!!!
— Luke Mayes (@lukemayes8) June 30, 2020
What a fucking mess of a club.
— Ron The Duck (@izzysdad22) June 30, 2020

You must be logged in to post a comment Login