FORMER Wanderers defender and coach Phil Brown is back in football tasked with preserving Southend’s EFL status.

Brown has replaced Mark Molesley for a second spell at Roots Hall having previously led them to promotion from League Two during a five-year spell in charge which ended in January 2018.

Southend are second from bottom of the table and five points from safety with six games to go, starting at home to Crawley today.

A club statement yesterday read: “The club last night terminated the contract of manager Mark Molesley, together with the majority of his back room staff.

“We wish to thank Mark for the commitment throughout his tenure. The board recognise the management team worked tirelessly.

"However, whilst considerable further support was afforded during the January window, results on the pitch remained, unfortunately, inconsistent.

“Phil Brown, who previously managed the club between 2013 and 2018, will take charge with immediate effect.

“Brown, who signed some members of the existing squad, will be assisted by his former colleague Ricky Duncan (head of academy) and Craig Fagan (Under 23 manager), who played under Brown when he managed Hull City between 2006 and 2010.”

Brown's last two management jobs have been in the Indian Super League at Pune and Hyderabad.