Toon Saint

Koeman baby, light my fire.

Not sure. Claims to have worked with the club for several years, but he also said Yakin and FdB were on a five-man shortlist which sort of ruined his credibility. We know that Yakin was never contacted and there is nothing to indicate FdB was approached.

Our strike force next season?

Lexi would be well up for the Spurs game at least: http://www.espnfc.com/story/897285

BBC Solent Sport ‏@solentsport 1m Feyenoord midfielder @ImmersLex understood to be @Koeman1963's top transfer target to bring to #SaintsFC. Manager appointment in nxt 48 hrs. Not too sure about this lad. As others have said, his stats are underwhelming, and he definitely isn't good looking enough for us.

Hard to assume loyalty in any manager nowadays but don't think it is impossible that we will never see the likes of Fergie or Wenger reaching 10+ years with a club again. Rodgers and Martinez, for instance, look like they could be in their respective jobs for quite some time. In the case of Koeman, he has said that he wanted to lay down 'roots' with an ambitious club and improve them - so maybe, just maybe, he is looking to the long-term with us. It is probably the best appointment we could have possibly hoped for in terms of balancing managerial profile, track-record, and coaching reputation. If we were being unrealistic then FdB might have been a tad more exciting, though at least with Koeman, he should have the experience and stature to convince our legion of want-aways that they can progress further with us. Pretty impossible to compare Koeman and Poch at this stage. Noticed Adam Blackmore saying that Koeman has often inherited well at clubs like Ajax and PSV and has done so again with us. A little unfair as you could say that Poch did much the same - though that's not to discredit the work he did, as he did improve most of the players he inherited immensely, particularly Fonte, J-Rod, and Lallana. The question will be: can Koeman do the same again? It's a tough ask. I am excited about the appointment though. Koeman should have a much more extensive range of contacts in the game (players and agents) than Poch did, and his profile should mean that we attract better players easier. We obviously did well very well with recruits last summer but you get the sense that took herculean efforts from Cortese, Reed and Poch to convince players such as Wanyama and Osvaldo, who dallied for a long time, whether to join. Given our performances last season the recruitment of players should have been a less stressful experience anyway, but with Koeman's status in the game I'm sure we will be seen as an attractive option by a lot of decent players. Will be interested to see whether there is much variation with our tactical set-up this season, and whether the 5-3-2 used with Holland will be introduced. We used to segue into a WW formation when attacking with Poch anyway, so players will used to fast transitions and deployment of wing-backs. Definitely would require an additional CB or two (if Lovren departs) though, and I wonder whether we'll ever see Wanyama utilized as a CB given our options at CM. Maybe Ramirez will actually be given an extended spell in the first-team - assuming he stays fit of course - and prove all the doubters wrong. Though that's probably wishful thinking. Anyways, great that we have got our no.1 choice in and also fantastic that the majority of the fan-base are behind the appointment. Can't ever remember the fans being so united on that front. Starting to look forward to next season now.

Looked quality in the couple of games I've seen him play. He's tall, composed, loves to roam forward, and has a decent free-kick on him. The caveat is that the SPL is a pony league, but he's only 22 and has great scope for improvement. Can imagine being coached by 'legendary' Dutch centre-back Koeman would be a massive draw for him. Obligatory Youtube video: [video=youtube;oY-RXVRpnUY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY-RXVRpnUY

Virgil van Dijk linked again in the mirror as Koeman's first signing. Think this rumour has legs: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/prospective-southampton-boss-ronald-koeman-3701339?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

There is a link that definitely adds up. Just hope he is not seen as a replacement for Dejan.

Lawro works for BBC.

Our potential no.2. has managed Hungary, Feyenoord, and most recently RKC Waalwijk - the team that Martin Jol managed for 6 years before getting the Spurs job - albeit to relegation. That is more impressive than WBA's new manager's track-record. Think about that for a second.

Aka Andrew Halford. Well known prat on twitter with a history of making sh1te up. Ludicrous that a loser like him would ever meet with club officials.

A lovely 28th birthday present K Billy! Great news.

Yep, while annoying for Saints fan it's only going to remove that shield from the media. So probably a good thing assuming we all want him to fail abysmally and get sacked by Christmas. I certainly do.

Top post mate, completely agree. City got rid because he didn't fit their 'holistic' model. Bit of a cringey phrase but basically that meant ensuring that all age groups from u8s to the first-team play the same style of attacking football, while at the same time ensuring a pathway for players in their academy which they have pumped millions and millions into. Mancini didn't play attractive, attacking football or give youngsters a chance. Someone mentioned the likes of Johnson, Rodwell, and Sinclair above as evidence of him blooding young talent, when in reality he paid absurd amounts for them and barely gave them a chance. All three careers stagnated while at City. The 'holistic' approach they have moved towards is very similar to the 'Southampton Way' that our new board will likely use as their crutch. If Mancini couldn't manage balancing that at City with the luxury of limitless funds, not sure why people think he'd be a good fit for us at all when money available for transfers is likely to be minimal in comparison. Must be the nice hair.

Lack of loyalty annoys me immensely but it is a dangerous game allowing all those wanting out to leave, even if the fee is right. If we let Shaw, Lallana, Lovren, Lambert all go then the turnaround of players is going to be ridiculous. I'd hope the likes of Lovren and Schneiderlin can be persuaded for one more season at least and give us time to find adequate replacements if they really are insistent on going. Length of their contracts puts us in a strong position on that front.

Are we allowed to be hysterical now Dibden Purlieu Saint?

It's about understanding whether the manager and club suit one another, not mindlessly trumpeting a candidate because he is a big name.

Spot on really. Could only see it ending in tears with him citing lack of funding from the board.

I'll give you a hug CB Saint. Feel a bit bad you are getting so much stick. I do know the Charles Miller story so can't help you on that front but pretty sure my Dad - a lifelong Saints fan - wouldn't know it either. He is chronically forgetful, mind.

Mancini would be massively high profile but can't see it myself. He's a winner but also a cheque-book manager with no history of developing young players. Can't see him wanting to manage us, or him being a decent fit for us either.

Is it wrong that the title of this thread keeps making me think that a sex tape of Les Reed has been leaked? I think it is the possessive 's.

Organizing the city parade for Leroy Rosenior and Steve Claridge to be unveiled as the Saints management duo, on a float driven by big Kat. Dream team.

Or maybe sorting a refund for Brucey's family holiday in Portugal?

Sort of says that, but also that any club wanting to take him on would have to pay a fee to Mainz. Could that be the paperwork Reed was talking about?