SW11_Saint

Well said Phil.

No. But then I think all this "loyalty" stuff is so overplayed in this case - he merely stayed with us, getting paid, over the summer (dignified as he was while doing so). But he also took us down last year and unfortunately clearly wasn't up to the job. That's the reason he's been sacked.

It is business as you say - and he must have known that this might happen. He was also getting paid, so not so bad... I do think he's shown great professionalism this close season, and wish him well, but this is definitely the right decision for the club. Got to make the right appointment now - Coppell in my book, or someone of that calibre. Onwards and upwards!!

Didn't someone post that Shearer was dining with MLT this week at the De Vere? It could be...??

I'm loving how fast things are moving... Davis signed up, now Wotte removed. Great stuff. Now for Steve Coppell or someone of his calibre... that'd make this a perfect week (esp if the Pompey deal falls through).

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4484760.Wotte_sacked/ On Echo site now too. Sad for him, but the right move - time for a new regime and fresh ideas.

Agree, I think Coppell would be a great fit. Boothroyd? - no thanks.

Oh happy happy happy day!!!! (if true - if not, well still a happy happy day!).

Ah Plested's... delicious! Remember getting headbutted by a skinhead in the chippy up the road from there. A 'flat-top' in Percy's before going into Subway records for some abuse from the staff. Those were the days indeed!!!

LOL! Funny, where is Canteen these days? Crying in a corner somewhere now that the Lowe era is really over??

From Parnell's in Shirley you mean, surely? A true right of passage...

Didn't see that bit - funny from what I saw of NC / AO's interviews on SSN it sounded like they were reviewing all aspects of the club and were going to make changes to the management team (reading between the lines, rather than them saying anything explicit). Hoping they will, but let's see.

Agreed, and Leibherr's statement has made it clear that he wants and expects the club to re-engage with the fans, and the wider community. With that directive, I am sure AO and NC will do so. I have very little knowledge of the details of AO's prior stint here, other than what I have heard from posters on here (most of whom I respect the views of) and am prepared to believe he did a less than good job, but the club was in a state of flux then (when wasn't it?!), and I do think he's earned the clean slate that I intend to give him - as will most other fans I suspect. Time to move forward - together.

Chief Operating Officer, not CEO. South Today also mentioned (hinted?) that Nicola Cortese might have a role, perhaps he will be CEO? Full interview with Fry later on http://www.bbc.co.uk\southtoday

Cheers Mike, top work!

I think ML needs to make an appointment ASAP - nothing lost as we're only 1 week into pre-season. If not, I do fear he'll end up sacking him after about 10 games, so better get on now - perhaps a job behind the scenes for him? That said, not sure he'll have his executive team in place until late July, so he might feel it's too late in the day to make the change then (in my book it's never too late - if something's wrong, it's wrong).

u2us@skysportsnews.com

I think most of us are thinking like ML himself - that this is a long term project now and one that probably needs to build slowly. As MLT said on SSN, given our starting point this year an mid-table finish should be all we expect, if we go further, then great. I think most fans think the same way. I'm just looking forward to thinking about football again, rather than business. For the first time in about 5 years I feel optimistic about Saints. How good a feeling is that?!?

Or perhaps Switzerland!

I was the one before you...! Good shout for the board - knew it must have been here.

Cheers Tractor - couldn't get the link to work though (404 - page not found error). Can you re-post. I was recording on SSN, but Sky+ stopped.

Did anyone notice that SSN earlier stated that "Mark Wotte will be remaining as manager" - yet ML's statement did not mention that. Any idea where they got that from? PS How about the Mali bear as our new mascot...!

Yeah noticed that - must be someone on here. Mine was the one before - that mentioned Liebherr meaning "dear man" (I think, anyway!).

And they are green with envy!! Let's hope their dodgy arab pulls out now... then we can all laugh at them getting walloped week in week out this season.

Just got my email read out on SSN too!