Kevin Phillips replaced as manager of non-league club by another Premier League cult hero
It's one Premier League cult hero out and another in at South Shields, who have replaced the departing Kevin Phillips with his former Sunderland team-mate Julio Arca
Kevin Phillips has been replaced as South Shields boss by his former Sunderland team-mate and fellow cult hero Julio Arca.
The legendary Premier League striker stepped down from his role at the non-league club, where he took over in January 2022, last weekend following their promotion to the National League North. They've moved quickly to name Argentine Arca as his successor.
A midfielder who made 149 English top flight appearances for the Black Cats and Middlesbrough, the 42-year-old finished his career with the Mariners and captained them to a quadruple in the 2016/17 season.
READ MORE: 'I snubbed Sir Alex Ferguson and Man Utd transfer because I thought the world would end'
Speaking about his return, Arca told the club website: "It’s great to be back at the club after so many years. I firmly believe this is the right time for me to come back for a different challenge, and I’m very excited about it.
"The club has grown so fast and this is a fantastic opportunity for me to become a manager for the first time, especially with the platform we have here.
Which current Prem player would make a good manager? Let us know in the comments section.
"There is a lot of work to do between now and the start of pre-season, but I'm very hungry to get started and help the club continue to progress."
Phillips exited stage left after discussions with chairman Geoff Thompson over the future direction of the club. The decision was made that he would leave so they could adopt "a more sustainable model" going forward in the sixth tier.
"I feel that this is the right time for me to depart, for a number of reasons," Phillips explained. "To be manager of South Shields has been an amazing experience and I’m very grateful for everything Geoff has done during my time at the club."
“I’ve given my heart and soul to this club and I’m disappointed to leave, but I’ve been in football a long time and I know things can change very quickly."
READ NEXT:
- Football fans reveal all-time favourite commentators - John Motson tops the list
- 'Harry Kane made me miss lunch by two hours to have 150 more shots - it was crazy'
- Beloved former Premier League ground was left in disrepair during seven-year abandonment
- 'I'd turn up to Man Utd training in a suit - Rooney would be in shorts and flip flops'
- World's richest footballer has so much money he could buy Man Utd three times over