COLCHESTER United are close to appointing an experienced assistant manager to work alongside new head coach Hayden Mullins.

The U's are on the verge of agreeing terms with a number two to work alongside Mullins, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The new assistant manager is expected to be an external appointment, as Colchester build for the 2021-22 League Two campaign.

Colchester's director of performance Jon De Souza said: “The assistant manager appointment is very, very close.

“It’s very nearly agreed.

“We are looking to add someone who is experienced.

“It will be more than likely an external candidate who has experienced first-team football at varied levels.

“We think that the person we’re going to bring in will add to what we’ve got and add to the experience that we’ve got as well, so we’re very, very close on that."

Gazette:

Colchester are making plans for a brand new campaign in the Football League, after avoiding relegation to the National League last season.

The U's battled against the drop in the remaining months of the campaign.

However, the appointment of Mullins who moved up from his role as assistant manager to interim boss alongside advisor Paul Tisdale for the remaining eight games, helped steer Colchester to safety.

In the eight games he presided over, Mullins guided Colchester to three wins, three draws and two defeats in his time in temporary charge.

It helped the former West Ham United and Portsmouth midfielder land the job on a permanent basis and De Souza believes he is the 'ideal appointment'.

He said: “Hayden did a very good job last season in helping us stay up and since he’s been here, he’s been a terrific addition to the staff.

“He’s got immense experience as a player but also as a coach.

“He spent five years as under-23 coach at Watford, he had four games as manager of Watford and he also spent six or seven months working under Nigel Pearson, who’s vastly experienced.

“We think we’ve got the ideal head coach."

Colchester's players are due to return for pre-season training at the start of next month.

Their first pre-season friendly will be at Kevin Watson's Billericay Town on Tuesday, July 13.

The new League Two campaign begins on Saturday, August 7.