Stan not the man for Southend

Stan Collymore will not be returning to Southend United to become the club’s new manager.

United owner Ron Martin insists the Nationwide Third Division club need a more experienced man at the helm and intend to seek permission from Oxford to speak to manager Ian Atkins.

The Shrimpers have been on the look-out for a new boss since the departure of Steve Wignall earlier this month.

Martin held talks with Collymore last week but he believes that the former England international is not the right man to lead United’s battle against relegation.

He said: “The club is in a potentially precarious position and for Stan to take the reins at this time would be a risk and one it is impossibly to quantify.

“Therefore, after careful consideration, the board and I feel this is not the moment for Stan Collymore to manage Southend United.

“That role should fall to a person that presently has considerable experience, not only in man-management and tactical awareness but also a thorough knowledge of players in the Football League who we may need to acquire to strengthen the squad now and in the immediate future.”