Former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson is still in the frame for the vacant Southend job, despite national newspaper reports ruling him out of the reckoning.
It’s been suggested that Larsson, who was once the only overseas player voted in Celtic’s all-time greatest ever side, has been ruled out of the running for the Southend job. Having formerly been with Helsingborgs, it was suggested that a lack of money at Southend would make any appointment difficult for the Shrimpers.
That’s a notion that’s been dispelled by chairman Ron Martin, who claims that the Shrimpers do have a decent budget. With regards to their resources, he told the Echo News; “Southend United were fifth in the wage league last season. Clubs learn this around Christmas time but with Ipswich coming down I anticipate we will be in the top six salaries this year.”
Whilst there are no quotes directly attributable to Martin regarding a move for Larsson, Chris Phillips of the Echo News believes that the former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United striker is still a candidate.
Larsson had success all over Europe but is best known for his exploits in Scotland. In his seven years at Celtic, he won four SPL titles, two Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups.
He was the leading goalscorer in the SPFL for five of the six seasons that he competed in and he scored two goals in the 2003 UEFA Cup final, although Porto went on to beat the Hoops 3–2.
Our View
I’m not sure if this is a good move or not; Larsson certainly has a big persona and would surely be able to attract some exciting young players from Celtic on loan.
However, is he the right man to take a League One club forward? He has little experience of the level and hasn’t previously worked in England as a coach or manager.
It would be an eyebrow-raising appointment, but as we’ve seen with Kevin Nolan, Chris Sutton and Harry Kewell, being a top player doesn’t make you a lower league manager.
