Sol Campbell: Former Arsenal defender takes charge at Southend United

League One side Southend United have announced the appointment of former Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell as their new manager. He is set to take over the struggling side post their humiliating 1-7 loss against Doncaster Rovers, taking over from caretaker manager Gary Waddock.

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Sol Campbell's playing days

Sol Campbell was well known for his towering performances at the back in an illustrious career spanning over 18 seasons with over 600 club appearances and winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield for a host of clubs. A five-year trophy-laden spell with Arsenal was Campbell’s most successful, including the infamous ‘Invincible’ season in 2003/2004 with the Gunners. The 45-year-old also represented England 73 times.

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Sol Campbell's managerial run

Post-retirement, Campbell turned his attention to management and took the role of Macclesfield Town FC, who at the time were struggling in the League Two. He took over the reins and steered his side to safety by three points. After departing Macclesfield in August this year, Campbell is determined to push on and make his mark at Southend United with the help of his backroom staff. Hermann Hreidarsson teams up with Campbell as an assistant coach once again after their playing days at Portsmouth with the duo winning the FA Cup together. Andy Cole begins the next step of his coaching career at Blues alongside Campbell and Hreidarsson as a forward and attacking coach. Former fitness coach at the Gunners, Anthony Colbert, also joins Campbell's backroom staff.

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Campbell was in the stands as Southend fell to their heaviest ever home defeat at the hands of Doncaster. He has a tough task on his hands as Southend remain eight points from safety in 22nd, having conceded 40 goals in 14 matches. Campbell has signed a deal until the end of the 2021-22 season with his first game for Southend United will be against Ipswich Town on Saturday 26th October.

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