Opinion: Five Managers Southend United Should Consider

Southend United have officially relieved Kevin Maher of his duties at Roots Hall. This follows four years with the club, achieving consecutive play-off places while recently lifting the club’s first domestic trophy after a penalty shootout against Wealdstone.

Maher first took charge of the club in October 2021, while the Essex side were slipping down the National League table off the back of consecutive relegations. Meanwhile, they were facing rough financial constraints under Ron Martin’s reign.

His time at the club has painted him into Southend United legacy, steering the club through major crises and getting the players on side with countless off-field issues racking up against the club. He nearly delivered league football last season, if not for a late comeback from Oldham Athletic in the play-off final.

This season, he actually achieved his highest points total for the club, finishing sixth due to an unusually high standard of promotion opposition in the National League. Fans were critical of the distinct lack of a plan B, and the club has chosen to take a change of direction with promotion, undoubtedly the aim for their 2026-27 campaign.

This article will explore five potential managerial options the Shrimpers could consider for next season. The topic was extensively discussed by the National League Lowdown team on their latest episode.

Mat Sadler – Unattached

Mat Sadler was a heavily contested figure during his time at Walsall. Regarded for following similar patterns in the last two seasons, his Walsall sides were persistently early league leaders only to face a collapse in the second half of the season.

This season, he parted ways with the club in March as their promotion challenge fell flat again.

This makes his time with the Saddlers difficult to navigate, but he is clearly a talented young manager. Often enforcing a “route one” approach, he has shown himself capable of getting the best out of strikers, while his system makes use of wing-backs – a position of which the Shrimpers possess talent in abundance.

It is only a matter of time before another club takes a chance on Sadler, and a step down to the National League may be a healthy move for the 41-year-old. 

Adam Hinshelwood – Worthing

The target is promotion next season, and Adam Hinshelwood knows what a promotion battle is. 

Parting ways with York City earlier in the season, he made his return to Worthing, where he won the National League South title with 99 goals scored.

Returns at the sharp end of the pitch were a distinct issue for Southend United last season, and Hinshelwood has always shown ability in getting the best out of his strikers, as shown from both his York City and Worthing sides. The prospect of leaving Worthing a second time will draw questions, but there is certainly a huge opportunity to be taken at Roots Hall next season.

He is no stranger to what it takes to challenge for the fifth-tier title, being extremely unfortunate not to guide the Minstermen into League Two last season.

Whether he chooses to see out the job at Worthing after their long-awaited promotion to the National League remains to be seen, but Hinshelwood is certainly one that chairman Justin Rees should consider.

Rob Elliot – Gateshead

Another one that carries ‘stick or twist’ questions around his current club. Rob Elliot returned to Gateshead this season to guide the North East side to a miraculous escape, after many had the club’s survival prospects written off at the halfway point of the season.

He has previously left the club for further opportunity, struggling to make an impression at Crawley Town in the 2024-25 season before taking back the hotseat at Gateshead. 

He knows how to get a side firing in the National League, and appears to be adept at either end of the National League table. Elliot has previously guided the side to a play-off finish, although they did not have the chance to compete due to external circumstances.

His brand of football is attractive at its best, and he would certainly be able to pull up trees with the greater resources available at Roots Hall. 

Danny Scopes – Billericay Town

Danny Scopes is a serial winner throughout the various steps of non-league, and a local option for the Shrimpers to consider.

Winning back-to-back promotions with Aveley, he continued the club punching above its weight with a play-off finish in 2023-24, before reality set in the following season as they succumbed to relegation. He has since guided Billericay Town back to step 2 following victory over Brentwood Town in the play-offs.

Some will feel his career achievements now warrant a stab at the National League, while the vacancy at Southend United offers any manager a chance to make a name for themself next season.

As previously mentioned, location would be no issue for Scopes. He has shown adeptness in both play-off scenarios and title races, so he would no doubt be a good suitor to potentially deliver Southend back to the football league.

Scott Lindsey – Unattached

Not so long ago, Scott Lindsey was one of the most exciting managerial prospects in England.

Delivering promotion to Crawley Town when fans and neutrals expected nothing but relegation, he also developed several players while playing some stunning football along the way.

His move to MK Dons was a tough time, but this was during a time of high expectations, while the squad and ownership were in deeply transitional stages.

He returned to Crawley Town and would have likely retained their League One status with a few extra games. Although last season was nothing to shout about, as they narrowly avoided a second consecutive relegation on the final day, while Lindsey was relieved of his duties in March as the run-in for survival approached.

A more stable, modest environment at Southend United could be a healthy step for the manager. And while expectations will be high at Roots Hall, the step down into the National League could be vital in reigniting Lindsey’s career.

Join The Discussion

Kevin Maher’s dismissal was met with a lot of controversy amongst fans and neutrals alike, and there is no clear option for Southend United to really pursue, making their direction for next season very interesting. 

Our team at National League Lowdown discussed this in depth in their latest episode, launching their own suggestions for the managerial hotseat.