Non-league manager’s job under threat despite winning trophy and play-off run

Kevin Maher is at risk of being sacked by Southend United, talkSPORT understands.

That is despite guiding the Shrimpers to FA Trophy glory on Sunday, as his side beat Wealdstone on penalties at Wembley.

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In doing so, Maher guided Southend to a domestic trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

This followed a disappointing end to their National League season, as they missed out on promotion.

Maher’s side finished sixth in the table, despite picking up an impressive 81 points from their 46 games.

This sent the Shrimpers into the play-offs, but they then were then beaten in their eliminator clash – losing 1-0 to Scunthorpe.

The Essex outfit have now spent five years outside of the Football League following their relegation in the 2020/21 season.

Uncertain future

While Maher’s side regrouped to seal an historic ending at Wembley with FA Trophy glory, it now appears this might not be enough to keep him in a job.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that Southend were considering the 49-year-old’s position in charge.

And talkSPORT understands Maher’s job is under threat, throwing his near five-year tenure at Roots Hall in doubt.

Maher took charge of the club in October 2021, and has guided them to 13th, eighth, ninth and seventh-placed finishes.

This is just his second permanent managerial role, having first taken charge of fellow Essex side Chelmsford City in 2014, before going on to coach the club’s under-23s side.

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Having spent ten years at Southend as a player, Maher returned to the club in a coaching capacity in 2015, where he served as their Under-21s manager.

He followed this up by joining Bristol City as a first-team coach, and was placed in temporary charge of the club in 2019 following the departure of manager Graham Coughlan.

Maher’s homecoming to Southend came in October 2021, when he replaced Phil Brown as head coach.

After mid-table finishes in his first two seasons in charge, the Shrimpers finished the 2024/25 season in the play-off places.

They went on to reach the National League Play-Off final at Wembley, but suffered heartbreak as they lost 3-2 to Oldham after extra time.

Despite bouncing back to finish sixth this term, Maher has now suffered back-to-back play-off exits in charge of Southend after missing out again in the 2025/26 campaign.

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Southend through and through

As mentioned, Maher’s association with Southend goes well beyond his managerial career.

A midfielder in his playing days, he came through Tottenham’s youth system, but did not make a single first team appearance.

In 1998, Maher left White Hart Lane to join the Shrimpers – who were then in the fourth tier.

He went on to establish himself as a hero at Roots Hall, spending the next ten years at the club, where he became captain.

During this time Maher made more than 400 appearances for Southend, and captained them to back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship in 2005 and 2006.

After departing Roots Hall in 2008, he spent the rest of his playing days at lower league sides Oldham, Gillingham and Dagenham and Redbridge, before retiring after spells with Irish side Bray Wanderers and Whitehawk in the sixth tier.