FORMER Southend United boss Sol Campbell feels he should not be judged by his spell in charge of the Shrimpers.

Campbell has not been given another managerial role since leaving Roots Hall in June 2020.

But the former England international, who won four of his 23 games with Southend, believes the odds were stacked against him at Blues.

He told the Portsmouth News: “At Southend, I couldn’t get anyone in, they were under an embargo and nobody had told me. It was extremely tough.

“I could get people off the books, which I did, but couldn’t even get players on loan because it involved money. I didn't know that when I went in. I was only told at the back end of January 2020.

“Look at Southend, they went down under me in a pandemic season which finished with nine games left. Then down again. Surely people can see I had a bad deal there?

“If you cannot rationalise that, then you obviously have a fixed picture of me and you don’t want to move from that. I’m not going to change your mind about who I am.”

Campbell has continued to apply for jobs and was disappointed he did not even get an interview when Portsmouth, a club he captained to FA Cup glory, were twice looking for a new manager.

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The former centre-back said: “I had to ring Pompey the first time to ask Mark Catlin whether he had received my CV. That’s what hurts me more. If I can't even get an interview at a club where I did well at, where can I get a job?

“The second time I applied was before John Mousinho. My agent rang up and was told by Andy Cullen it wasn’t the road they were looking to go down, they wanted a leader. I wasn’t asking for the job, just to have a conversation.

“I did an amazing job at Pompey and now you don’t even want to give me a meeting in person. I don’t even deserve a 45-minute meeting with the hierarchy to see my philosophy and how I look at football?"

On one occasion, Campbell missed out on the job to former Concord Rangers boss Danny Cowley.

Campbell added: "I have nothing against previous managers, but the club were happy to listen and employ the Cowley brothers, who started off as PE teachers. Yet they wouldn’t want to sit down with me, who captained his country and Pompey. It’s hard to take.

“I’m not trying to bash anyone or throw people under a bus – and I’m not saying I should get the job, just the chance to be interviewed.”

"I’m a good motivator and know what I’m doing when coaching and into the swing of it, I know football inside out. You cannot have all my football experiences and know nothing about football, I can pass it all on."

But Campbell is still waiting for his next chance.

"I am not coaching at the moment, I would love to and am still applying, but nothing is happening," said the 48-year-old.

"It’s almost like I am banished out of football, which is bizarre.

"Eventually I will have to look further afield, such as Scotland.

"No-one wants to talk to me, if I knew why I would change it."

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