FORMER Peterborough boss Dave Robertson is the new under-21 manager at Southend United, Echosport can reveal.

Robertson was dismissed by Posh in early September following a 2-1 defeat against the Shrimpers at Roots Hall.

But Blues boss Phil Brown has now opted to hand Robertson a route back into the game.

“We carried out the interviewing process and Dave was the outstanding candidate,” said Brown.

“He worked with the youth team at Peterborough for quite some time and said he had the experience of doing what Ricky Duncan does here for 10 or 11 years.

“He’s also had six months doing my job so he brings us a lot and he seems to have got the group motivated too.

“I’m sure he will prove to be an outstanding replacement for Dale Brooks who had to leave us.”

Brooks left the Shrimpers due to family reasons after just two months in charge of the under-21 team which was formed at the start of the season.

Former Blues midfielder Kevin Maher had also been in contention for the job.

And Brown would love Southend’s ex-skipper to still be involved in the set up.

“I think Kevin is a quality person and great to have around the club,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“I’m very grateful for him stepping in to coach the boys like he did and he’s very popular with them.

“It’s just a shame at this moment in time that we only have the one vacancy but we’re looking to make the step up to category two in the EPPP set up and for that to happen we will need to appoint more staff.

“I would certainly love to get Kevin on board at that stage.”

Robertson, who had been in the Royal Marines before embarking on a coaching career, bossed the team for the first time yesterday in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Right-back Jordan Williams was on target for the Shrimpers.