BROWN TURNS DOWN BIG SAM LINK-UP
SOUTHEND United boss Phil Brown admits an assistant’s life is not for him after turning down the chance to join Sam Allardyce at Sunderland.
Brown, 56, was Allardyce’s assistant for six years at Bolton and helped cement the Trotters as an established Premier League club.
But for the last decade Brown has embarked on his own managerial path and, after taking over at Southend in 2013, he’s lifted them out of the League basement.
And following careful consideration, former Hull City boss Brown says he has too much unfinished business at the Shrimpers to play second fiddle to Big Sam.
“The opportunity was put to me to go to Sunderland but, after talking with the chairman (Ron Martin) here, I’ve decided to stay at Southend,” he said. “It was something I did think about for a couple of days and I was considering what would be best for me to do.
“But I still have ambitions I want to achieve at Southend and I want to try and get to 1,000 games as a manager.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m not going to do it if I go and become an assistant.”
Allardyce’s former No2 at West Ham, Neil McDonald, 49, had a similar message, insisting he has no intention of leaving Blackpool.
“Being a number one is something I want to do,” said McDonald.“I’ve been a support to Sam Allardyce over the last six years, but this is my turn to be a number one.
“I’m working hard at Blackpool to try and put things right on the pitch.
“It’s flattering to be linked, that means you’re doing a decent job.”