SOUTHEND United legend Paul Clark feels the Shrimpers must decide what they want from their next manager before making an appointment.

Blues are still looking to replace Sol Campbell who left Roots Hall at the end of June.

But Clark – who made 359 appearances for the Shrimpers and also managed the club himself – insists the club need to fully define what they are looking for.

“I think before they decide who they want they have to decide what they want,” said Clark.

“By that I mean do they want an old fashioned manager who is in charge of everything from top to bottom at the club which Sol patently wasn’t or do they want a more modern set up with someone whose sole responsibility is the first team.

“If they go down that route then there needs to be some structure above them.”

And Clark believes that would lead to more than just a manager being appointed.”

“In an ideal world if they went down that route they would have an idea who was going to be CEO or director of football or whatever you wanted to call it,” said Clark.

“They’d have to identify that and then identify who would work alongside them so you had two people thinking along the same lines. “But for me he’s (Ron Martin) had loads of good advice and should listen to what the likes of Spencer Prior, Michael Kightly and Steve Tilson have come out and said.

“He has to take that on board.”

However, Clark also feels whoever does get appointed is facing a difficult task.

“It’s a hugely tough job,” said Clark.

“It seems like they won’t have a lot of money and will have to rely on the kids.

“It will be extremely difficult for the kids too.

“They came in last season and kept their head above the water but the second season is an awful lot harder.

“There has to be an understanding from the fans that if they’re going down the route of playing the kids then it’s going to be hard.

“They might go and fool us all but experience tells you it’s going to be a struggle.”

But a young side would also need a certain type of manager.

“If they’re going with a young team they will need the right manager for them too,” said Clark.

“They will need someone who has experience of working with the under 23s.

“Sometimes if you have an old haggard manager that is used to shouting and screaming he’s probably not going to cut it with a bunch of kids.

“Someone along the Craig Fagan or Kevin Maher line might be the way to go but they have to define the job before they choose someone.”