Rank the Gaffers

Rank the top 7 Saints Managers (excluding caretakers) from your lifetime in terms of how you rate the job they did & their quality as a Saints Manager:

1. Adkins

2. Pochettino

3. Koeman

4. Strachan

5. Hoddle

6. Chris Nicholl

7. Pardew

Then post a good picture of one of the seven.

You cant put "rank the managers from your lifetime" and then not put them all up since Ted Bates half the people on here will not be able to play

1 Koeman

2 Mc Menemy

3 Adkins

4 Strachan

5 Hoddle

6 Pochettino

7 Bates

1 Strachan

2 koeman

3 Adkins

4 ball

5 merrington

6 hoddle

7 pochettino

.....*thinks*.....how many have a statue of themselves outside the stadium, how many have won a cup, how many got us promoted?

So it's Bates, Lawrie, Pards and Nige. Honourable mention to Pearson for keeping us up, and a slight liking (for no reason I can account for) for Wotte.

Wotte over Poch or Strachan?Although you do have a 7th slot free.

1. Adkins

2. Koeman

3. Strachan

4. Pardew

5. Pearson

6. Burley

7. Pochettino

.....*thinks*.....how many have a statue of themselves outside the stadium, how many have won a cup, how many got us promoted?

 

So it's Bates, Lawrie, Pards and Nige. Honourable mention to Pearson for keeping us up, and a slight liking (for no reason I can account for) for Wotte.

Bit of a shame that anyone born after 1973 can't choose Bates. Never saw a match under him but there's no way you can leave him out. Just do top 7 based on their record as well as personal recollections I reckon.

1. Adkins

2. Koeman

3. Strachan

4. Pardew

5. Pearson

6. Burley

7. Pochettino

 

 

Burley ahead of Pochettino an interesting (and IMO wrong) choice, but otherwise solid.

Makes you realise how much dross there was early and mid 90s too. Poor playing squads not helping of course.

1. McMenemy

2. Koeman

3. Adkins

4. Pochettino

5. Hoddle

6. Ball

7. Nichol

And for balance, the rankest gaffers in my lifetime:

1. Wigley

2. Redknapp

3. Sturrock

4. Wotte

5. Portvliet

6. Burley

7. Can't put anyone else in there tbf, Merrington at a push

You have ruined tomorrows thread now. ****er.

Dreadful list though! I was actually in the press conference (in a Portacabin at Staplewood) when Wigley was appointed and even the press were suprised and kept asking if he meant he was Caretaker Manager.

Wotte over Poch or Strachan?Although you do have a 7th slot free.

I may not have been taking this as seriously as the op intended. Apologies. WGS was a good'un as well, fair point. I'm trying to erase poch and hoddle from my mind.

WGS, Pards, Ron, Poch, Nige, Burley, Hod.

1. McMenemy

2. Koeman

3. Adkins

4. Pochettino

5. Hoddle

6. Ball

7. Nichol

 

 

And for balance, the rankest gaffers in my lifetime:

 

1. Wigley

2. Redknapp

3. Sturrock

4. Wotte

5. Portvliet

6. Burley

7. Can't put anyone else in there tbf, Merrington at a push

Can I be as bold as to suggest Branfoot

Can I be as bold as to suggest Branfoot

Stuart gray? Dodd and Gorman?

Lawie Mac far and away top. The year we finished second in the old First Division we played better football by a country mile than anytime since. He is a genuine legend.

Since the :

Potch

Hoddle

Adkins

WGS

Ball

Koeman

Lawie Mac far and away top. The year we finished second in the old First Division we played better football by a country mile than anytime since. He is a genuine legend.

 

Since the :

 

Potch

Hoddle

Adkins

WGS

Ball

Koeman

Terrible effort. Learn to spell at least.

1. Tape

2. Glassblower

3. Polperro

4. Sailor - gaff rig boat

5. Corning, New York

6. Head electrician

7. Wigley

[quote=stknowle;2276270

And for balance, the rankest gaffers in my lifetime:

1. Wigley

2. Redknapp

3. Sturrock

4. Wotte

5. Portvliet

6. Burley

7. Can't put anyone else in there tbf, Merrington at a push

You must be joking

Inherited a team abandoned by Bally (or was he pushed out by The Board, Bally claims they didn't want him to stay, and the money at Maine Road would have been a good incentive),

no money to invest in new players, little previous experience at managerial level, let alone top level ..... he still managed to keep us up.

Terribly treated by The Club whilst his wife was in a critical situation in hospital, yet still loves the club with a passion.

Bates

McMenemy

Koeman

Strachan

Souness

Pearson

Ball

You have to look at the difficulties they faced as well as the results they achieved.

WGS

Pochettino

Koeman

Adkins

Ball

Pardew

Jones

Bates

McMenemy

Koeman

Strachan

Souness

Pearson

Ball

 

You have to look at the difficulties they faced as well as the results they achieved.

The 6-3 against (10 man) Utd aside, Souness was appalling. It was a miracle we stayed up under his incompetence, and that's not even considering Ali Dia (R.I.P.)

You cant put "rank the managers from your lifetime" and then not put them all up since Ted Bates half the people on here will not be able to play

....you mean because Bates and McMenemy managed the club for 31 years between them ! This is more of a game for youngsters who can't play the Generation Game.

The 6-3 against (10 man) Utd aside, Souness was appalling. It was a miracle we stayed up under his incompetence, and that's not even considering Ali Dia (R.I.P.)

He brought in some of the most exciting players I've seen here.

He brought in some of the most exciting players I've seen here.

I liked Micky Evans too.

Chris Nicholl - following McMenemy was like following the Lord Mayor 's Show. He was on a hiding to nothing, but DAJFU and gave us some exciting goalscorers.

Strachan pulled us out of the mire and got us to a Cup Final (pity he played the wrong formation), Hoddle much the same - but without the Cup Final appearance.

My vote is for Alan Pardew who, even for the short length of his tenure brought Fonte and Lambert, started with -10 points and finished with a happy day at Wembley.

Nigel Adkins 2nd prize - for taking Pardew's team and streamlining it through two divisions, but Pochettino's "success " was an up-the-tempo version of Adkins' side.

Ronald Koeman is positive and likeable, but both he (and a lot of our fans) will be happier if we achieve " something big " - by the end of next season.

I liked Micky Evans too.

Micky Evans made 22 apps. which included 4 vital goals....that saved us from relegation, although Billy Sharp's 17 apps. and 9 goals ....gave us promotion.

Some times even the " bit players " have played an important role in our history.....and not to forget Marian Pahars contribution, too.

1. Lawrie

2. Adkins

3. Koeman

4. Strachan

5. Bally

6. Nicholl

7. Merrington

8. Souness

Worst

1. Portvelit

2. Wigley

3. Branfoot

4. Wotte

5. Gray

6. Redknapp

7. Jones

Not included hoddle as his treatment of Matty for England takes him off the best list.

Terrible effort. Learn to spell at least.

Check this spelling out!

Get a life!!

For the record - shame on me for forgetting Bates in 2nd place.

Big Lawrie Mac

Little Alan Ball

Pochettino

Koeman

Nichol

WGS

Pardew

Hoddle

Pearson

Merrington

Adkins......and then it gets too dire to mention.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The full list to choose from ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Southampton_F.C._managers

I could include not only Ted Bates in mine but also George Roughton, Sid Cann and Bill Dodgin!

1. Lawrie

2. Adkins

3. Koeman

4. Strachan

5. Bally

6. Nicholl

7. Merrington

8. Souness

 

Worst

1. Portvelit

2. Wigley

3. Branfoot

4. Wotte

5. Gray

6. Redknapp

7. Jones

 

Not included hoddle as his treatment of Matty for England takes him off the best list.

Can't argue with most of that but not sure how a few in the top list are better than Pochettino? Souness and Merrington for example?

Can't argue with most of that but not sure how a few in the top list are better than Pochettino? Souness and Merrington for example?

Surely we have to take some account of their operating circumstances. The chairman and club finances must also have played a big part in any perceived successes or failures.

Surely we have to take some account of their operating circumstances. The chairman and club finances must also have played a big part in any perceived successes or failures.

Of course. I just feel Pochettino changed the perception of the whole club at PL level, from an also ran everyone patronised to a club that is genuinely thought of as successful in its own way. A big achievement despite backing, plus he clearly improved a host of players.

1. Koeman

2. Adkins

3. Strachan

4. Pochettino

5. Ball

6. Sturrock

7. Hoddle

Sturrock in the top 7? Brave call. Especially with no Pardew. Even Burley was surely better than Sturrock?

He was way out of his depth and probably his appointment set in motion our relegation.

Sturrock in the top 7? Brave call. Especially with no Pardew. Even Burley was surely better than Sturrock?

 

He was way out of his depth and probably his appointment set in motion our relegation.

He wasn't cut out to be a Premier League manager but he gave us some very memorable games, the 3-3 v Newcastle, beating Liverpool. That excellent game v Blackburn at the start of the next season. Blooding Folly, Griffit and Hall. The turning point was the summer but I will always feel he was a better option then Wigley which was the first nail in the coffin.

Pardew is a great shout, that day in Wembley will stay with us forever, but to miss out on the playoffs with that squad and the start to the following season? No, didn't make it.

Yeah Pardew ultimately underachieved that one season which cost his job.

The game Griffit scored on his debut was in the Strachan days though.

First game of the season Sturrock was fored was when Prutton and Niemi had a bust up on the pitch.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+TROUBLE'S+STURRING+AT+SAINTS%3B+Aston+Villa+2+Southampton+0...-a0120676822

Sturrock should never have been put in that situation to even be a PL Manager. A decent appointment then and we would have survived the following year insteead of going down IMO.

For that reason he has to go down as a big mistake and cannot make a list of top Gaffers for me. In fact I would rate him in the "slate" group. He had lost control of a solid group of players who didnt respect him.

Sturrock in the top 7? Brave call. Especially with no Pardew. Even Burley was surely better than Sturrock?

 

He was way out of his depth and probably his appointment set in motion our relegation.

We were erratic but played some exciting attacking football under Sturrock, his win percentage was 38% (slightly higher than Pochettino's and much better than many). I would mainly agree with Colinjb's list though would possibly have the Argentinian higher than 4 as we really seemed to be developing into something special whilst he was here.

1. Strachan

2. Adkins

3. Koeman

4. Pochettino

5. Hoddle

6. Ball

7. Pardew

I've gone with a mix of how good they are/what they achieved and how much I liked them. I guess it's more like a 'favourite managers' list (at the time obviously, since Poch wouldn't get near the list now!)

Ball gets the nod simply because of the brilliance we got to enjoy from Le Tissier while he was here. Even though Nicholl was in my lifetime (first game in 1990), I don't feel I can include him because I don't remember enough of his tenure.

1 - Lawrie Mac. Simply the best in my lifetime. 2nd in Div1. Legend. Signed my shirt when I was a nipper when he visited my school, St Pats.

2 - WGS. Made a consistent premier league footballer out of Paul Telfer! If only he stayed longer it could have been all so different.

3 - Ronald Koeman. Twice bounced back from player exoduses and still has us playing great football. I'll never forget Arnhem away either.

4 - Glenn Hoddle. Pains me to say it, but this is about the best, not personal preference, right? We were really good under Hoddle before he stitched us up.

5 - Chris Nicholl. Has his critics, but 6 years of keeping us in the top flight (just!) speaks volumes. Can take full credit for LeGod, Shearer, Wallaces, etc too.

6 - Nigel Adkins. Took us on THAT journey. What a ride! Find me a more positive, likeable and motivated manager anywhere.

7 - Alan Pardew. Honorable mention for taking us to Wembley. Such a special day. Would have ranked higher in this list if we'd gone up that year too.

Was only born in '76 so can't pick Ted Bates.

1 - Lawrie Mac. Simply the best in my lifetime. 2nd in Div1. Legend. Signed my shirt when I was a nipper when he visited my school, St Pats.

2 - WGS. Made a consistent premier league footballer out of Paul Telfer! If only he stayed longer it could have been all so different.

3 - Ronald Koeman. Twice bounced back from player exoduses and still has us playing great football. I'll never forget Arnhem away either.

4 - Glenn Hoddle. Pains me to say it, but this is about the best, not personal preference, right? We were really good under Hoddle before he stitched us up.

5 - Chris Nicholl. Has his critics, but 6 years of keeping us in the top flight (just!) speaks volumes. Can take full credit for LeGod, Shearer, Wallaces, etc too.

6 - Nigel Adkins. Took us on THAT journey. What a ride! Find me a more positive, likeable and motivated manager anywhere.

7 - Alan Pardew. Honorable mention for taking us to Wembley. Such a special day. Would have ranked higher in this list if we'd gone up that year too.

 

Was only born in '76 so can't pick Ted Bates.

Had Strachan achieved all he could with us though? I saw us as an organised, high tempo side with some quality, lucky that we had Beattie on fire for some time.

He certainly wouldn't have taken us down, but not sure we could have replicated what we did unless we had replaced Beattie with someone else who would have scored that kind of volume of goals.

Would say Koeman and Pochettino's teams have been much higher quality, but Strachan made 100% of what he had available and was a great guy.

He also knew the right time to leave.

In terms of memories they gave me, since I've supported Saints in the late 80's, it's:

Pardew, Adkins, Strachan, Koeman, Ball, Pochettino, Jones. For some reason I have strong memories of the Souness season too, but he misses the list.

Had Strachan achieved all he could with us though? I saw us as an organised, high tempo side with some quality, lucky that we had Beattie on fire for some time.

 

He certainly wouldn't have taken us down, but not sure we could have replicated what we did unless we had replaced Beattie with someone else who would have scored that kind of volume of goals.

 

Would say Koeman and Pochettino's teams have been much higher quality, but Strachan made 100% of what he had available and was a great guy.

 

He also knew the right time to leave.

I forgot to mention that WGS also ranked as high as he did in my list for his post-match comments too!

Pochettino purposely didn't make my top 7. My view is that Adkins did the hard work before his arrival & that he simply built on a solid foundation. Also he only had one gameplan, a very good one at that, but no plan-B whatsoever. It's no accident that we won no games after going a goal down during his reign. I was not disappointed to see him leave. Controversial, I know, but that's how I see it.

Can't argue with most of that but not sure how a few in the top list are better than Pochettino? Souness and Merrington for example?

Simply forgot poch. He'd be 3rd or 4th and pardew 5th.

Had Strachan achieved all he could with us though? I saw us as an organised, high tempo side with some quality, lucky that we had Beattie on fire for some time.

 

He certainly wouldn't have taken us down, but not sure we could have replicated what we did unless we had replaced Beattie with someone else who would have scored that kind of volume of goals.

 

Would say Koeman and Pochettino's teams have been much higher quality, but Strachan made 100% of what he had available and was a great guy.

 

He also knew the right time to leave.

Agree. Strachan had lost it by the end as burley did. Which is why sturrock deserves a bit more credit tbh. Won 6 lost 7 is hardly bad.

I forgot to mention that WGS also ranked as high as he did in my list for his post-match comments too!

 

Pochettino purposely didn't make my top 7. My view is that Adkins did the hard work before his arrival & that he simply built on a solid foundation. Also he only had one gameplan, a very good one at that, but no plan-B whatsoever. It's no accident that we won no games after going a goal down during his reign. I was not disappointed to see him leave. Controversial, I know, but that's how I see it.

That Plan b stuff is a red herring IMO. What is Koeman's plan B? Can you clearly identify the plan A even?

Adkins did an ok job in the PL, Pochettino lifted us and some of the players to a different level. As he is doing with Spurs.

Did a very good job at Saints and transformed our perception in the PL which is hard to do.

I can't include porch , he is to blame for the start of our players leaving for bigger clubs as we had no ambition , I for one can't ever forgive him for unsettling our team which is continuing

I can't include porch , he is to blame for the start of our players leaving for bigger clubs as we had no ambition , I for one can't ever forgive him for unsettling our team which is continuing

That doesn't even make sense. If the Club ultimately wasn't ambitious enough for Poch or some of the players, how is that his fault?

He doesn't set the ambition level of the club or pay players the 3x salaries they were offered elsewhere?

Bates, McMenemy, Adkins, Strachan, Nicholl, Ball, Koeman.