DuncanRG

I don't expect he'll get a warm reception but booing would be silly. It would definitely be satisfying to beat them.

Surely he got his words muddled. That would be bonkers

Solent interview here. Not giving too many specifics about Pochettino negotiations but confirms that a 'strong contract' was offered. EDIT: Says they heard 'rumours about talks' before and as they joined in January. Doesn't say what they were about but Pochettino's contract negotiations were the only topic of conversation at that point. Did they hear anything about Cortese's plans to sack Pochettino? Perhaps he turned down a contract extension then and that's why Cortese wanted him out.

Problem is that the youth teams play the same way as the firsts. Major upheaval would throw that completely out of whack at all levels of the club, not just the first team. They don't have to be exactly like Pochettino, but fluid, passing football with attacking full-backs is essential. I am certain the club feels the same way, and that's why we won't see someone like Moyes come in.

All I would say is that if they are looking to break into the top four in the future, that should be made clear to the players. We don't need to know at this stage, but they do.

The only thing to be read between the lines there, besides references to fan's concerns, is in the bit about the new manager having to decide who stays and goes. Obviously that happens every time a manager comes in but it may be that the new boss would rather sell Luke Shaw and reinvest £30m in the right players for his style. It's probably worth Ralph's while mentioning that now because it's not a foregone conclusion that any new Southampton manager would rather keep all the players.

We are more than capable of qualifying for the Europa League. Long way to go if it's Champions League that they have in mind.

Indeed. It won't be McClaren or Howe after a statement like that.

Full statement on the OS. Krueger refutes 'talk of scaling back ambition' and maintains our target is Europe. Says we have the highest quality managers in Europe knocking on our door. Says the 20-strong scouting and recruitment staff helped find Pochettino and they're finding the right man. Excellent stuff all round.

That's because he didn't have any higher ambitions. If he'd taken us to eighth and bigger clubs were circling he'd have to reconsider what he was capable of and look at his options, same as Pochettino or any other coach. Not everybody would go out of the door as quickly as MP, mind. Lallana's the same. He's considered it an honour to play for Southampton in the Premier League but now he's performing at a higher level he's adjusted his ambitions and that will involve moving on to a bigger club, be that this summer or another time. He's paid the £2m. The Guardian article mentioned that a deal was agreed last week but the announcement was delayed while we arranged compensation.

Exactly. You can't be scared to appoint the best managers because they might be too good for us and go at some stage. No manager stays for long these days - they either move up or get sacked. I suppose we're a bit jittery about it because of what's happened with Pochettino, but you always appoint the best manager possible.

New manager before the start of the World Cup and signings/contracts as quickly as possible after. Those who go will go, but we don't want anybody else changing their mind and deciding they're better off elsewhere.

Pochettino set to come back for Lallana, the Guardian reports

Anyone know what his record for speaking to the press is like? If he's not prone to speculation those quotes are very encouraging. Might well be in the pipeline already.

Were there markets on next Southampton manager in the build up to Adkins getting sacked? I'd be interested to know

He's only just become a coach. Doubt he'd want to get into management yet and don't know why you'd want someone who would be managing their first team ever. He does seem to have the makings of a good manager though, and likes the way we do things at the moment. Might be worth keeping an eye on him if he's not fast-tracked to United down the line.

I rate him. Assume wages will be a problem, though

Agreed. Spurs will bring a lot of challenges that don't really apply to us - it will be much harder to blood youth there, for example, because you risk upsetting some highly-paid stars.

Not at all! Most of the time I don't spot it until someone points it out to me after the game.

Agreed. When Spurs' vacancy is filled, Southampton will be the best job going in the Premier League. I'm confident we'll get somebody decent.

Can anyone think of a 'plan B' they've seen employed by a manager which hasn't involved lumping balls into the box? Managers change tactics during games all the time. That includes Pochettino. Only turning to direct crossing football seems obvious enough to most fans to be labelled a 'plan B'

Lib Dems went to Labour, some student vote left for Greens in May 2010 and hasn't returned, assume some protest voters went to Ukip as well BNP votes went to Ukip Tory votes went to Ukip (50% of Ukip voters ex-Tory) and some to Labour as part of normal flow from government to opposition in mid-term elections That's what I've gleaned, anyway.

He's said he views Napoli as a 'stopgap' and wants to return to England. You have to assume he's been holding out for a top job but it doesn't look like he'll be getting one this summer. If Pochettino leaves for Spurs we're the best English job going but I doubt he's so desperate to come back to the PL that he'd join us. Out of our league, sadly.

Was wondering how long it would take for this thread to come up. No - Pochettino has been absolutely brilliant.

Yup, that's what you get when you hire managers who are that good.