ACADEMY coaches Danny Heath and Mark Moss will be in charge of Southend United’s under 23 team next season.

The duo will take the place of Craig Fagan who has stepped up to become assistant manager.

And Blues’ director of football Ricky Duncan feels it is the best way for the club to move forward.

“Craig has moved up so we’ve had a good, long chat between myself, Phil (Brown) and the chairman and we’ve asked Danny and Mark to step up as part of their role to also take over the 23s,” said Duncan.

“We’re looking at bringing in a new first team coach and hopefully that will be done soon as well.

“Hopefully he will have some input in that as well so that’s a further link.

“Myself and Craig know all of the players too so I don’t think you could get a better time for the academy.

“You have two people within the first team environment who know pretty much every player at the club, all the way down to the under nines.”

Heath has been with Blues for the past 10 years and has been under 18s coach since July 2019.

Moss has been the Shrimpers’ lead development coach since October 2019.