Sturrock axed, but will lead Southend for Wembley

SOUTHEND yesterday sacked manager Paul Sturrock and promised to unveil his replacement today.

But, in a bizarre twist, the Scot will return to take charge of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final clash at Wembley in two weeks’ time.

Chairman Ron Martin issued a statement on the club’s website that stated Sturrock, whose three-year contract was due to expire in the summer, would be axed with immediate effect, yet – as a “privilege” – he would come back to lead the side against Crewe on 7 April.

Southend lie only two places outside the npower League Two play-off places, although they have taken just five points from the last available 18. Martin claimed promotion was imperative, and suggested personal sentiment had led him to ask Sturrock to take charge on a one-game basis at Wembley. The statement read: “The club will not be renewing Paul’s contract at the end of this season and will appoint a new manager tomorrow to ensure the club’s interests are protected and advanced both now and from the first day of next season.”

It added: “They say ‘there is no sentiment in football’, I do not agree. We are all human and have to understand the emotions influenced by our decisions.

“The decisions here are, as I say at the beginning of this statement, driven by the wider interests of Southend United, its success and growth, whilst remaining conscious of what is fair and just. “For all these reasons, I have suggested to Paul he leads the team out and manages them at Wembley.”