Kem Izzet believes Colchester United must act quickly in their search for a new manager following Kevin Keen’s shock exit.

And the U’s legend says he would love to be the club’s new boss, after Keen quit after little more than four months in charge.

Keen resigned from his position yesterday following a meeting with Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling over the future direction of the club.

The former Liverpool and Reading coach was appointed as Tony Humes’ successor last December.

But he was unable to prevent the U’s from suffering relegation to League Two.

Colchester academy coach John McGreal and former U’s duo Kevin Watson and Teddy Sheringham have already been linked with the vacant post.

Izzet, who made more than 400 appearances for Colchester, has also been touted as a possible candidate to replace Keen.

He told the Daily Gazette: “I think they need to act fast.

“The clever thing for me would be to bring someone in who the fans can relate to and someone who can lift the club in such bad times.

“Do you bring in a fans’ favourite or bring in someone who is proven to get you out of League Two?

“Will players want to come into an environment where they are losing week in, week out?

“I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I would love to come back to Colchester as manager one day - I think everyone knows that.”

Izzet said he was shocked to hear that Keen had decided to leave his post at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“I’m gobsmacked – where do they go from here?” said Izzet.

“I don’t see where we’re getting any stability and the manager has gone after four months – it’s crazy.

“The club have just been relegated and now the manager has gone.

“It worries me but if Kevin Keen wanted to go, then it may not have been through any fault of their own that he’s gone.

“The question is, will they go outside of the club now?

“And with so many players out of contract, where does it leave them?”

Colchester assistant manager David Wright has been placed in temporary charge of the club for their two remaining games this season, against Barnsley and Rochdale.

“I know that David Wright will go in and give it his all,” added Izzet.

“I think he’ll do a good job and I really hope he does, because he’s a good guy and a good coach.”

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