CRAIG Fagan has thrown his support behind new Southend United manager Mark Molesley.

Fagan, the Shrimpers under 23 coach, was in the running for the job before chairman Ron Martin plumped for Molesley who had been in charge of Weymouth.

But, in a statement issued on Twitter, Fagan insisted he would not be looking to move on and was also keen to thank those showing him support.

Fagan wrote: “I’d like to thank everyone for the support I received over the last couple of months after applying for the manager’s role at Southend United.

“I was looking forward to having guidance and working alongside Colin Calderwood who has been a great support these last three weeks.

“Although understandably upset at not being given the opportunity to be given my first senior managerial position I respect the decision made by the chairman and football club as a whole.

“Thank you to all the staff at the training ground who assisted myself and Rick (Duncan) with the first week of pre-season to now.

“It was a team effort following all of the Covid protocols and being as professional as we can be.

“Another thank you to the players who gave their all during each session ran by Stef (Russo) and I, it’s appreciated.

“It is now my time to get behind the new manager and of course I wish him and his staff all the best as this becomes one of the biggest in recent history at the club.

“Promotion out of League Two is always going to be on the agenda for a club of this size.”