Bristol Rovers first-team coach Kevin Maher has made favourite by the bookmakers for the vacant Southend United job.
The Essex-born Irishman is a legend at Roots Hall after making almost 400 appearances for the club and coached the Shrimpers’ development squad before joining Graham Coughlan in the Gas coaching team.
Maher, who was in caretaker charge of the Pirates following Coughlan’s departure and while Ben Garner was on leave for family reasons, is a 2/1 favourite to replace Sol Campbell as Southend boss.
The 43-year-old has managerial experience with Chelmsford City in the National League South, and received his UEFA Pro Licence this summer from the Football Association of Ireland.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in coaching and managing,” Maher told the Custard Splat Southend fans podcast earlier this month.
“I’d like the opportunity to be a manager, but I’m really enjoying it at Bristol Rovers. They’re a really good club and the new manager (Garner) has come in and I’ve worked really closely with him.”
Campbell departed Roots Hall by mutual consent this week following Southend’s relegation to League Two.
The Shrimpers endured a turmoil-laden 2019/20 season, with the squad under-performing on the pitch and the club a shambles off it – with players not paid on time on time twice.
While Maher lacks experience managing in the Football League, Southend may be looking for a manager adored by the fans to lift the mood and right the ship.
Maher captained the club to back-to-back promotions to the Championship in the mid-2000s, and many fans were disappointed he was not offered a role in Southend's first-team coaching setup before he joined the Gas in 2019.
Adam Barrett is also in the running with the bookies listing him as a 3/1 shot.
Celtic legend and Manchester United cult hero Henrik Larrson is priced at 12/1, while Nigel Clough and Steve McClaren are available at 14s and 16s respectively.
