SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has rejected the chance to team up with Sam Allardyce at Sunderland.

The newly appointed Allardyce, who worked with Brown at Bolton Wanderers, wanted the Shrimpers boss to join his backroom team at the Stadium of Light.

But Brown has opted to remain at Roots Hall.

“The opportunity was put to me to go to Sunderland but, after talking with the chairman here, I’ve decided to stay at Southend,” Brown exclusively told Echosport.

“It was something I did think about for a couple of days and I was considering what would be best for me to do.

“But I still have ambitions I want to achieve at Southend and I also want to try and get to 1,000 games as a manager as well.

“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m not going to do it if I go and become an assistant somewhere.”

Brown, who has taken charge of 375 games during his managerial career so far, guided Southend to promotion via the League Two play-offs last season.

The 56-year-old has also enjoyed a good start to the current campaign with Blues sitting seventh in the standings, just two points outside the play-off positions.

And Brown is keen to keep up the good work.

“There’s still plenty to be done and to be achieved here,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“We’ve put plans into place and want to continue to make progress to try and get another promotion.”