FORMER Southend United coach Gary Waddock has been named as Cambridge United’s new assistant head coach.

Waddock started last season as the Shrimpers’ assistant manager and spent nine games as caretaker boss following Kevin Bond’s dismissal.

But, following Sol Campbell’s appointment last October, Waddock left Roots Hall.

And the 58-year-old is now pleased to be back in the Football League where he will work alongside U’s boss Mark Bonner, a former youth coach at the Shrimpers.

"Speaking to Mark [Bonner], I like his ideas and I'm excited about what he wants to do with the team to take the club forward,” Waddock told the club’s website.

“Having also been in discussion with Ben Strang, I liked the way they both spoke about the picture of the football club.

"Mark's an extremely enthusiastic young coach with great ideas, and I feel with the experience that I've gained over my career, both playing and in different coaching roles, we can be a very good match for each other.

“His thinking is very much aligned with the ideas I have, and I believe I can help Mark to the benefit of everybody at the club.”