Southend sack Maher two days after Wembley win

Southend United have sacked head coach Kevin Maher two days after the club's historic FA Trophy win at Wembley.

The 49-year-old, who was appointed boss in 2021 and had a 10-year spell with them as a player, led the Shrimpers to victory over Wealdstone in a penalty shootout on Sunday, clinching their first domestic trophy.

But Southend finished sixth in the National League this season - losing in the play-offs to Scunthorpe United - and on Tuesday the club announced Maher, along with coaching staff Darren Currie and Mark Bentley, would depart following a review of the 2025-26 campaign.

"The board has decided this is the right moment to start the next chapter in Southend United's journey and a comprehensive search to find a new head coach is underway," the club said., external

"Kevin and his staff have played a hugely important role during a significant period in the club's history. Since the COSU [Custodians of Southend United] takeover, they have helped stabilise the football club, delivered back-to-back top-seven finishes, taken us to Wembley on two occasions, and on Sunday, delivered our first domestic cup triumph.

"Kevin was involved in more games as both a player and head coach than anyone in our 120-year history and departs with his status as a club legend firmly cemented.

"Everyone at Southend United thanks Kevin, Darren and Mark for their commitment to the club and the wider community and wishes them every success in the future."

Maher, who made 454 appearances for Southend between 1998 and 2008, told BBC Essex after Sunday's Wembley success: "I'm so proud of the players and the fans who turned out in their numbers.

"It's the first domestic cup the club has ever won - this is up there in my career highlights for sure.

"There's been some tough times this year and a lot of talk about me but I love winning trophies for this football team."

In 2024 he was given the Freedom of the City of Southend in recognition of his dedication to the club during a challenging financial period.

Maher's departure from Roots Hall comes 48 hours after guiding the club to a first ever national cup win, lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium.

No-one has been involved in more Southend matches than the 49-year-old as both a player and coach - captain of consecutive promotions in the mid-noughties.

Arriving in 2021 as head coach, he guided the Blues through the darkest times amid wind-up petitions and unpaid wages.

Under the consortium, who took over in 2024, he reached the National League play-offs - but fell short with defeat in the play-off eliminator.

While King Kev's reign is at an end, he is recognised by fans as nothing short of a club legend.