Colchester United set to appoint Keen as their new manager

Kevin Keen looks set to get the Colchester United job. Credit: PA

Colchester United are closing in on the appointment of former Reading assistant Kevin Keen as their new manager.

The ex West Ham United and Stoke City midfielder watched the U's lose at Rochdale on Saturday (December 19) alongside chairman Robbie Cowling.

Who is Kevin Keen?

  • Keen began his playing career at Wycombe Wanderers before he was sold to West Ham United in 1983.

  • He had seven seasons at Upton Park before eventually moving onto Wolves and then Stoke City.

  • Keen retired in 2002 whilst at Macclesfield Town and joined the academy coaching staff back at former club West Ham United.

  • He then became reserve team coach, and first team coach under Alan Pardew. Had two spells as caretaker manager before joining Liverpool's coaching team.

  • A spell alongside Steve Clarke at West Brom then followed before the pair were reunited at Reading again in 2014.

  • Both were sacked earlier this month.

Keen has worked alongside Steve Clarke at previous clubs. Credit: PA

Keen would replace Tony Humes who left the club by mutual consent back in November.

With the the U's now bottom of League One, current caretaker boss Wayne Brown says that a change of leadership is needed as soon as possible.