Southend United manager Sol Campbell has left the club by mutual consent along with his backroom team. The former England international joined the club in October 2019 but was unable to save them from relegation to League Two along with Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers.
Sol Campbell Leaves Southend United
A Troubled Season
It’s been a long and difficult campaign for Southend. They picked up just four wins all season – one less than bottom side Bolton. The first of those did not come until late September when they won 1-0 away at MK Dons.
Despite taking over in October, Campbell did not enjoy his first league success as boss until the January success at Accrington Stanley. Prior to that, their only win under the former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur defender was against AFC Wimbledon in the Leasing.com Trophy.
Southend went on to lose 24 of the 35 games they played in the shortened League One season. They finished on 19 points – five ahead of Bolton (who started on -12) and 13 behind Tranmere.
Also leaving the club are his backroom team which consisted of former Portsmouth defender Hermann Hreidarsson, ex-Manchester United striker Andy Cole, and former Arsenal player Tony Colbert.
What Was Said?
A statement on the club website read: “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.”
Campbell himself added: “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.”
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