JASON Demetriou has admitted it was not nice to see Phil Brown leave Southend United.

Demetriou will take charge of Blues against Chertsey Town this weekend in the first match since Brown was dismissed as manager.

And the Shrimpers defender insists he always had a good relationship with his former boss.

“I had a good relationship with Phil on and off the pitch,” said Demetriou.

“It’s not nice to see him leave and that’s the horrible side of football.

“But now you have to stand up and stand in for the guy which isn’t nice.

“I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes but it was one of those things that had to be done.

“It’s not a personal thing and I’m happy to step in.”

Demetriou was first signed by Brown in 2016 before also signing a new contract with the former Hull City boss back in charge last summer.

And the defender has held talks with Brown since his departure.

“I’ve spoken to Phil and thanked him for keeping faith with me in the summer and giving me a lot of responsibility,” said Demetriou.

“It’s a shame what happened.

“We weren’t performing on the pitch and we let him down a bit.

“But we’re on good terms. I wish him well for the future and he did the same to me which was nice of him.”