DUNCAN STEP-UP TINGED WITH REGRET
SOUTHEND academy manager Ricky Duncan has revealed it’s with a tinge of sadness that he’s taken up the first-team reins alongside Under-23s manager Kevin Maher.
The pair are in charge of first-team affairs after Shrimpers manager Phil Brown was placed on gardening leave by the board while a settlement agreement is completed. Ex-Shrimper Chris Powell has been linked with the managerial vacancy.
Duncan knows many of the current squad, having been involved with the club’s youth set-up since 2005.
But he admits it’s been tough to come to terms with the departure of Brown, as well as backroom staff Graham Coughlan, Brian Horton and Bob Shaw.
“On the pitch, it’s nice to be working with the senior players, but off it it’s still sad. The relationship I had with Phil here was the best working relationship I’ve ever had with a manager,” he said.
“He did an awful lot for the youths that people didn’t see, but I did because I was with him every day.
“He was a big part of the success we’ve had bringing boys through and the success we will continue to have as well.
“So, it’s a real shame what’s happened.
“Kevin and I have been asked to work with the first team by the chairman and we will do everything we can to help the club for however long is needed,” said Duncan.
Brown, who helped the club gain promotion to League One in 2015, left the club on Wednesday.
A club statement read: “This season, to date, has been a disappointment and has not reflected, in the board’s opinion, the capability of the assembled squad or the investment.
“The club’s success as we enter a new era is paramount and we shall adopt zero tolerance in our efforts to achieve this objective.”