JERRY Omango insists Garry Pond and Craig Waters will play a key role in taking Southend Manor forward despite appointing himself as the club's new boss.

Omango, who took over as the Essex Senior League outfit's owner in June, had been on the lookout for a new manager following Adam Peek's resignation last Friday.

Although Omango has now been confirmed as Peek's official successor, he will allow Pond and Waters - who were members of the backroom staff during the previous regime - to oversee matters on the pitch.

"I am only the manager by title because I want Garry and Craig to help take the club forward," said Omango, who replaced Steve Robinson as Manor's chairman in the summer.

"They are good, local coaches and I want them to take this opportunity.

"In the short-term, I want us to change our style of play.

"I want to see us playing football and entertaining the fans instead of kicking the ball long.

"It's important for us to change the way we are playing because I think we have some really good players in our squad.

"I believe there are four or five young players here who can become professional footballers, but they need to have the proper training in order to do that.

"We will give them that because I want to see the players and club progress.

"I want the club to move into step four of non-league football.

"We are currently in step five but I think we can challenge to get promotion in the long-term."

Peek left Southchurch Park after a frustrating start to the campaign.

Manor have recorded just one win so far - over high-flying Hashtag United more than a month ago - and also been eliminated from the FA Cup, FA Vase, Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and Essex Senior Cup.

And Omango felt it was the right time for a managerial change to be made.

"When I took over the club three months ago, Adam and I spoke about our vision for the club," added Omango.

"I know football inside out because I have been in the game for a long time.

"Adam had my support but it didn't work out as I had hoped in the first eight games of the season.

"I want us to play attractive football and I wasn't happy with the way we were playing.

"The players at the club are young and it is up to the manager to bring the best out of those players.

"They want to learn and it's up to us to make the young kids become men."

Manor's first clash since the managerial change will come on Friday with an Essex Senior League fixture against Woodford Town at the Harlow Arena.