Kevin Bond named new Shrimpers boss

Southend United have today announced Kevin Bond as their permanent manager on a two-year-deal.

Bond took charge of the Shrimpers’ last six League One games as the Seasiders escaped relegation on the final day by beating play-off finalists Sunderland.

The role is only Bond’s second managerial role in England after a spell as Bournemouth boss between 2006 and 2008. Much of the 61-year-old’s coaching experience has come from working alongside Harry Redknapp at clubs such as Tottenham, Portsmouth, Southampton and QPR.

Bond said on his appointment:

“I couldn’t be more pleased, I thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks of the season, although it was a pretty tense experience, and I can’t wait to get started on planning for what we all hope is a bright future for Southend United.

Thankfully we got what we needed to get to stay in League One which is great and now we’ve got a longer period of time in order to put things in place which will hopefully move the club forward.

That work starts right now on the playing staff side and the planning for pre-season.

This is a really busy part of the season and it’s all about organising this period leading up to the first game of the season.”

Southend have also announced their retained list today as senior players such as Ben Coker and Michael Turner have been told they must find new clubs.