Austin buzzes off to Hornets

4:42pm Monday 24th November 2008

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DEAN Austin has quit Southend United to become the assistant manager at Watford.

The 38-year-old had been chief scout and reserve team manager at the Shrimpers, who visit Cheltenham Town tonight.

But he has now opted to work alongside the Hornets new boss Brendan Rodgers and revealed he could not turn down the chance of working with the Championship club.

“The opportunity was just too good to turn down,” said Austin.

“It is a chance to improve myself at a good football club but it’s sad to be leaving.

“Southend is a place close to my heart, I was here as a player 18 years ago and had good times here.

“I have also thoroughly enjoyed my second spell here.”

Austin came back to Blues 18 months ago after an unsuccessful period in charge of Farnborough Town.

But he also enjoyed happier spell with Southend as a player.

The right-back made 109 appearances for the club and helped them work their way upto in the second tier of the English game for the first time in their history.

Now he hopes to enjoy many memorable moments at Watford where he will work alongside Rodgers who teamed up together at Reading’s Academy.

“This is a chance for me to learn off someone a bit different,” said Austin.

“The company he has kept and the calibre of the players he has coached meant this was an excellent opportunity to learn off the master.”

Austin has been behind many of Southend’s signings in recent seasons and revealed he had apologised to manager Steve Tilson for leaving.

“I do feel that I am leaving them in the lurch a little bit but the structure is in place here with the scouting and that work will continue while Steve searches for a replacement,” he said.

“There are some very good football players at Southend but the squad probably needs strengthening by one or two.

“We have spoken about that at length and all those targets will stay with Steve and Paul Brush as I wouldn’t compromise that.

“But people need to be realistic and Southend are probably just a bit short when it comes competing with some of the sides in the division.

“It’s difficult but it makes the job Steve has done even more remarkable.”