I'm an Arsenal legend but I'm making a career U-turn – I don't want my heart broken anymore

Sol Campbell says he's so fed up with being left disappointed in his search for a managerial role that he's given up trying.

Campbell, 49, has been struggling to find work since his departure from Southend United in 2020. The Arsenal Invincible departed the Shrimpers in 2020, soon after the curtailment of the League Two campaign, as a result of Coronavirus, relegated the Essex-based side.

Last year, Campbell also opened up about the huge amount of money he was owed from his first role with Macclesfield Town. This season, Campbell's feelings towards his fruitless search for a new position were a lot more sombre.

While speaking at Wembley Stadium at the FA Grassroots Football Awards, Campbell told the Mirror: "I think, for me, I just have to look at other avenues. I don't want to lose the love of football.

"I just want to concentrate on building platforms and coaching on platforms and content, coaching and fitness. That's what I'm going to do.

"If something comes along down the line, then I'll be ready. But, for me, I'm just concentrating on that. I don't want to get my heart broken anymore when it comes to the love of football."

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At Macclesfield, Campbell performed well as boss despite well-documented issues off the pitch. Reflecting on his tenure with Mirror Football last year, he admitted he was proud of the job he did.

He said: "It did work out. I just didn't get paid! I did a wonderful job, a stellar job, under extreme pressure with no budget. And the players were incredible, they were amazing. Got some really good loans in January and it made a difference.

"Players would come in and get sold later on [to] make money for the chairman. And we still survived, we played really good football and got some big results as well - just didn't get paid."

Campbell was at Wembley to honour some of the UK's top volunteer coaches and officials at the Grassroots Football Awards. One of those individuals was Steve Bradford, who received the Match Official of the Year award for officiating over 250 games this year without taking a fee.

Bradford told Mirror Football: "Football is a great vehicle for bringing people together. I've done men's mental health games, games involving people with autism, ADHD, alcohol issues, drugs issues, the whole gambit. They require refereeing in a slightly different way as well. Because of some of the issues that are involved, It's just amazing how football can bring people together."

To find out more information on how you can get involved and become a volunteer, go to englandfootball.com/participate/volunteer