Saint-Armstrong

I've never known an inundation of other clubs' fans like this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/07/southampton-hold-out-for-5m-in-compensation-for-ronald-koeman-ag/

What about something to do with stroke sufferers, after well-known Saints fan 'Philly Saint' (Malcolm Ross) died of a stroke earlier this year? Just a thought, might be a nice gesture after losing someone a lot of people on here seemed to either know online or had met. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14218582.Tributes_to_well_known_fan_who_died_wearing_his_Saints_shirt/

For the benefit of others flicking through the thread: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/07/southampton-hold-out-for-5m-in-compensation-for-ronald-koeman-ag/

Pochettino came here after being sacked with his Espanyol side 20th in La Liga. He was and still is a roaring success. All about finding someone who fits the structures and philosophies of the club...

Depends which way you look at it. If, say, Everton took De Boer and Saints extended Koeman's deal - that's two lots of commission for Albers. As it is, Albers has lost Koeman and unless he gets De Boer into a job somewhere, he's totally empty handed. He could still get De Boer into England, with us, and earn himself some £s.

Not sure if it's been posted elsewhere, but an ex-employee of Everton (who is followed by BBC chief writer Phil McNulty, as well as Owen Gibson - chief sports correspondent for The Guardian) has seemingly got a bit of the inside track on what's happened here. It's on Twitter: Three days before Everton sacked Roberto Martinez, someone at EFC made contact with Guido Albers to discuss Koeman's availability. Albers told Everton that Koeman would not be interested, at the time he was discussing a new deal for Ronald to stay at Saints. Albers suggested Frank De Boer, who he also represents. Koeman found out what was on offer, and ditched Albers before signing up with Rob Janssen of Wasserman agency. Albers is still De Boer's agent, so I guess if Les gets on with the agent and takes a shine to De Boer we could have our man...

Here's hoping. Wouldn't be surprised if Les found a candidate straight from left-field. I have preferences but I don't see anyone of those discussed seriously that I wouldn't be able to get behind. I trust the club will get it right.

I wouldn't have loved to swap Koeman for anyone three weeks ago, to be quite honest. Doubt any of us would have, really.

Reports emerging in Italy that Frank De Boer is the new Lazio manager, allegedly: http://www.football-italia.net/85466/report-lazio-pick-de-boer

Reports emerging in Italy that Frank De Boer is the new Lazio manager, allegedly: http://www.football-italia.net/85466/report-lazio-pick-de-boer

John Motson weighing in and saying he doesn't know why everyone's saying Everton are attractive because they're a big club when it's Saints who are a top six club. Go on Motty, stirring it all back up again.

I was answering the comment that his CV is 'mediocre', which it just isn't. To answer the Q about his style... I didn't see much of his Academica, Porto or Zenit team so I can't really comment on them. Was decent at Chelsea, who weren't renowned for playing nice football. Spurs were turgid at times but equally could be entertaining.

Asked a Roma fan about him the other day. Said it started superbly, then went downhill very quickly, bottled the league title and then continued to get worse. Couldn't arrest the slump, the football was bad and then he got sacked. Did well with Lille though, previously.

Based on?

Academica: Bottom (18th) when he took over in October 2009, finished 11th and reached a cup semi-final Porto: won the quadruple, including the Europa League, went the whole season unbeaten and lost four games out of 58 overall with a win ratio of 85% Chelsea: tasked with clearing out players, lost the dressing room and Abramovich shunted him out - 48% win ratio Spurs: set the club's record points total (72) and had a win percentage of 55% - the third best of all-time at Spurs Zenit: first season: won the league and reached the Europa quarters, losing 4-3 to Sevilla / second season: won Russian Super Cup, Russian Cup / 61% win ratio I wouldn't say that's mediocre for a manager who has just turned 39.

Fair point. AVB did get some criticism for being a bit turgid and rigid at times with his style of play, which wouldn't go down too well with the club's mantra, I would assume. Although we were like that under Koeman for spells of time. Like you say, if Les gets permission to speak to Howe and lay on the table what's on offer I think he may find it hard to turn down. Seems a pretty principled guy though and very loyal to the Cherries so would be a tough, tough decision for him for that reason.

Premier League experience, has managed a few different clubs, has won the Europa League and overall, I think he's more suited to the club's approach off-field with the extent of preparation, the structure and so forth. With De Boer... well, my concern is that he's only ever managed one club. I know Koeman spent much of his managerial days in the Eredivisie too, but he'd been at a few different clubs: Vitesse, Feyenoord, PSV and Ajax; and then he went to Benfica and Valencia and picked up the domestic cups there too. However, when Philip Cocu rocked up at PSV he knocked Ajax and FDB off their perch. I guess I'm just cautious, although he did win four back-to-back titles so you'd have to assume he's got something about him. Also, and it's probably minor/irrelevant but the De Boer brothers seem to have continually pushed via the media to try and get Frank a job in England. Feels a bit odd or desperate, but maybe just really enthusiastic and up for a job. We'll see!

AVB or Howe for me. Or as you say, someone out of left-field. De Boer just does not excite me at all.

French TV channel iTelé are reporting that Unai Emery will be the new PSG manager after having talks with the club's board. EDIT: Beaten to it but there's the channel's name.

French TV channel iTelé are reporting that Emery will be the new PSG manager after having talks with the club's board.

What page do we reckon we'll be on when the announcement arrives?

Webster's gone.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-3627399/Eddie-Howe-likely-snub-Southampton-offer-Ronald-Koeman-heads-Everton.html

Football365 with a little dissection of Martin Samuel's column...