SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has confirmed Kevin Maher will be taking control of the club’s under 21 team.

The legendary Shrimpers midfielder looks set to replace David Robertson who left the post last week to take up a managerial position at Irish club Sligo Rovers.

And Brown is pleased to have Maher on board.

“We’ve offered the under 21 job to Kevin Maher and he’s grabbed hold of it,” said the Blues boss.

“The initial long term plan was to get Dave Robertson in charge of the team with Kevin just behind him learning his trade.

“I always knew Dave wanted to go back into management but all this happened far quicker than we thought.

“But I’m delighted for Kevin and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“Opportunities come around in football and when they do you have to grab hold of them which is hopefully what Kevin will do.”

Maher spent 10 seasons playing for the Shrimpers and made more than 450 appearances for the club.

He skippered them to two successive promotions and will become Blues’ third under 21 coach of the season after Dale Brooks also opted to depart in September.