Andy Carroll lands coaching job at club recently bought by famous YouTuber

Dagenham and Redbridge have sacked manager Lee Bradbury just weeks after KSI became minority shareholder, with former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll taking charge on an interim basis

Ex-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been named interim manager of Dagenham and Redbridge(Image: Richard Pelham, Getty Images)

Ex-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is taking charge of National League South club Dagenham and Redbridge as caretaker manager.

On March 18, the Daggers announced that they had parted ways with boss Lee Bradbury, marking YouTuber-turned-media figure KSI's first significant move as a minority stakeholder. KSI, born Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, was unveiled as a shareholder of the former Football League side at the start of March.

Two weeks later, Bradbury departed the Daggers following a seven-month spell in the dugout, with Carroll taking over on an interim basis in his first coaching job. The move came with the team sitting six points off the play-off positions and fewer than 24 hours after securing a 3-2 victory at Farnborough.

The club, competing in the seventh tier of English football — two levels beneath League Two — released a statement confirming: "Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club can confirm that we have parted company with First-Team Manager, Lee Bradbury.

"We are very grateful to Lee for his focus, professionalism, and commitment during his time at the Club and for his contributions, both on and off the pitch, to stabilise the club last summer.

"Dagenham and Redbridge wish him every success in his future endeavours. Andy Carroll will take the team on an interim basis, and further updates will be communicated in due course."

Carroll has made 248 Premier League appearances, netting 54 goals throughout a career that included spells at Newcastle, Liverpool, and West Ham United. The 37-year-old signed for Dagenham and Redbridge in July, while being revealed as a minority shareholder. Since then, he's scored six goals in 12 matches for the club.

YouTube influencer KSI purchased a stake in Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this year(Image: Getty Images)

In February, the National League South outfit was acquired by Happy Fan Group LLC, an investment group headed by John Grabowski. KSI was subsequently confirmed as a shareholder and strategic partner at the start of this month, with the 32-year-old outlining his ambitions to guide the non-league club all the way to the Premier League.

Drawing inspiration from Wrexham's acclaimed Disney+ series, KSI will produce a docuseries chronicling the club's journey in a Race To The Top series, set to be released this summer on the YouTuber's channel.

KSI said: "I've done boxing, music, YouTube content, I've been around the world, I'm a man that does whatever he wants, you can never stop doing what you want. I'm going to buy Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club.

"The idea excites me so much. Years ago, I saw the happiness, the joy, I want to bring that back and surpass it. I want the place to be pumping, I want the place to be rocking, be an event when you come here.

"Playing a video game and owning a football club is very different but with Race to Division One it was a journey it was hard but in the end, I did it.

"With this club I want to do the unthinkable, I want to take Dagenham and Redbridge to the Premier League. It's going to take time but realistic stages, I think getting out of this league and entering the National League.

"We need to improve the team, I have improvements to take it to another level."

He continued: "I know to some of you it might be scary, me being one of the owners, but I'm reachable. You can tweet me and I will see it. You can let your frustrations out or celebrate with me.

"I'm a fighter. I've broken my nose, broken my hand, broken my thumb, I've been in tough fights but with the Daggers, I'm going to keep fighting so that we can succeed. I'm just ready to get started."