Luke Garrad

33-year-old Garrad became the youngest coach in the top five divisions when he took over Boreham Wood in 2015. He’s since steered them to a Wembley play-off final with a place in the Football League just outside of their grasp.

Garrad had an uneventful playing career, making a handful of outings for Swindon before a spell with AFC Wimbledon which ended as they earned their promotion to League Two.

With four years of experience behind him, there is a feeling he could be the next big manager to come out of the National League, something Southend might want to consider as a change of direction.