Southampton - What Dreams Are Made Of

Southampton Promoted

Southampton returned to the Premier League after a seven-year absence with goals from Billy Sharp, Jose Fonte, Jos Hooiveld and Adam Lallana securing promotion on the final day of the Championship season.
Saints knew victory over Coventry would send them up and, despite a nervous start, they were worthy winners.
Sharp diverted Lallana's volley past keeper Joe Murphy after 16 minutes, and when Fonte headed his first goal of the season three minutes later, victory was all but sealed with nearly 70 minutes left to play. Just seven years ago, Southampton were relegated from English football's top flight and in that time a spell in administration and a couple of seasons in League One have followed. But now, thanks to significant investment from late owner Marcus Liebherr with chairman Nicola Cortese at the helm, Saints have been able to build a team that is now back in the Premier League.

Adkins: I’m Leaving

Nigel Adkins has shocked the footballing world to reveal that he is stepping down as Southampton manager. The club are shocked at this news as Nigel led the club to back to back promotions and is highly regarded in Southampton. Nigel made a brief statement about his time at the saints:
“I have loved it here. I felt welcome and it will always be my home. I feel I can do no more with the club so I have decided to leave my post as manager. I have given a name to the Board who I want to succeed me and I have been speaking to him for a while now about the club”.

Many fans are shocked to see Adkins go and a very upset about the decision. Some fans are sad but others are angry at how the club needs him more than ever now. Some fans are protesting about his decision but Nigel said nothing will change his mind and he wants the best for the club so leaving was the right decision.
Nicola Cortese also said that a new manager will be hired within 72 hours and that it will be exciting news for the club.

nice start, good luck

Jamie Redknapp Takes Charge At Southampton

Southampton have hired Jamie Redknapp as their new manager. The ex-saint has signed a one year deal to take over the job at St.Mary’s. Jamie was excited to get back into football and he has seen this as a great idea to start his managerial career. Jamie has been earning his coaching badges and once had a spell as a coach at Chelsea but decided management was his future. The new boss also revealed that he was talking to Nigel Adkins and that he knew he would be leaving at the end of the season. The club made a brief statement on the new manager:

“We want to welcome Jamie back to the Saints as our new manager and we wish for a happy and long relationship with him. He will be given full backing and we want him to take the club to the top.”

Southampton are 6/1 to go down but with some decent signings the Saints could be a mid-table team.

2013-06-15 10:54#112471 KingPadster : nice start, good luck

Thanks mate.

New Beginnings

I headed down from my apartment in London to begin my first day in charge of Southampton. ‘What was I doing’ I thought. This was going to be tough. I have promised the fans success and trophies and I have to deliver.
As I was driving around Southampton I noticed a small football club. EASTLEIGH FC. I knew that we had a partnership with the club but I had a strange feeling like I had been here before. I ignored it and headed just up the road to ST.Mary’s. As I pulled up there was a group of around 100 fans waiting for me and I knew I had to sign autographs. ‘For God sake’ I mumbled as I got out of the car. I greeted some fans and then headed inside to meet Nicola, the Chairman.
I knew he had a mixed reputation but I wanted to get to know the man himself. I entered the ground and saw two smiling faces waiting for me. My assistant, Perez and my PA, Rose were waiting to take me around the ground and take me to see Mr Cortese. It was a lovely ground and I had good potential for expansion. I had a plan in my head about what I was going to do with the club so I knew I had to present it well as I met the Chairman.
After a couple of hours I heard that Nicola was ready for me and I headed to the board room. ….

An interesting choice of person to become a manager as I can't see Jamie Redknapp ever doing it. Good luck with the coming season.

2013-06-15 13:20#112509 Jamesg237 : An interesting choice of person to become a manager as I can't see Jamie Redknapp ever doing it. Good luck with the coming season.

Thanks mate. I dunno why I chose him he just came to my head but oh well.

Meet The Squad

I took training for the first time today to evaluate the squad I had. The boys all looked like a great bunch and they all had a smile on their faces. They all wanted to work hard to make the club better and move forwards. I had a look at all of the players and they all would have their chance in pre-season but I knew some had to go. I want to make this team my own and I want to bring in some fresh young players. I want to focus on the academy and use the facilities to my advantage. After a good hour and a half’s scouting I knew who my key players were.
Adam Lallana:
Adam is a product of the academy and is our club captin. He can play anywhere in midfield and I want to get the best out of him. He is still developing and he can be a key player for a long time for this club.

Gaston Ramirez:
This was Nigel Adkins last signing and it was a good one. Gaston has great potential and he will be a great player for the future. I intend to play him behind the striker were I believe he can develop into a world class footballer.

Morgan Schneiderllin:
Morgan is another player with great potential and I want him to become a legend at this club. He is still young and he has a lot of time to develop further. I want him to be a backbone of this Saints squad.

Rickie Lambert:
This guy is a club legend and he can still perform at this level for years. He has done so much for the club and to freeze him out would be stupid. He is my starting striker and he is good playing as a Target Man so with balls from out wide and over the top Rickie can add something different into my passing style.

Rednkapp-Im going to change this club forever

It was my first TV interview so I had to make it good. I was facing the Sky cameras, my former employees. I was nervous but my father was on hand to give me support. ‘Lights, action’. It was underway my first interview.

“We are here with Southampton boss Jamie Rednkapp today and we are delighted to have him with us. How are you?”
“I’m good thanks. It’s great to be here at Sky.”
“Did you ever want to become a manager?”
“Yes I did. I did not really consider it until a few years ago but now I’m here I love it”
“How are the team reacting to the change in management?”
“They are doing great. We have had a few meetings about my tactics and how I want them to play”
“How are you going to change the club?”
“Well I will solely focus on youth. I want to sign as many under-25 players as I can but I understand I need experience also and that is what the squad has at the moment. I want to make this club great and with little trophies won it’s a good start for me to build a legacy at the club. I want to win a trophy in 3 years to start a mass domination of football. We will be great”.
“That’s good. How many changes are you going to make to the squad?”
“Well I want to bring in around 4-5 of my own new faces that can make an instant impact this season. Next summer I will overhaul the squad and get rid of any deadwood or ageing players”.
“Well thanks for doing the interview and we wish you luck at your new job”.
“Thanks”.
I looked around to see my farther smiling at me which gave me a lot of confidence that I can do a good job at Southampton.

Transfer IN’s/OUT’s

IN

Jari Litmanen-Free

Jari is an experience player and can be a big asset to the club even at 41. He can nurture the younger players and will be a role model to the squad. He won’t be a starter but he will be involved when I feel he can bring something different to the team.

Mattheus-£950K-Flamengo

Mattheus is a very talented young player and will work well with Ramirez in an attacking 3. He will become a great player for the club and I want him to develop into a world superstar.

Kerim Frei-Fullham-Loan

Kerim is a talented lad and I want to help him develop into a good player. He won’t be a starter but he will be an impact player and can be a decent player for the team this season.

Eros Pisano-Genoa-Loan

We needed a RB for the season as back up to Clyne and Eros is a great signing. He will be rotated around Clyne and I may purchase him if he has a good season and I believe he can be a good premier league RB.

Carlos Fierros-Chivas-£3.75M

Carlos can become a world class striker and he will be a legend at the club. He will be rotated around Lambert and may be loaned out later on if he can’t play as many games.

Victor Wanyama-Celtic-£12.25M

Victor is my main signing and is the clubs record signing. He will be another legend as the club and is a good player already. He will allow Morgan and Jack to push forward and Victor and Ward-Prowse will be a great partnership for years to come.

OUT’S

Richard Chaplow-Wolves-£1.8M
Steve de Ridder-Leeds-£525K
Frazer Richardson-Millwall-£575K

Mattheus and Fierro are fantastic and Wanyama will be a stellar signing but Jari Litmanen?! Never saw this one coming that's for sure

Nice work getting some cash for the deadwood in the squad. Perhaps Wanywama could have come a little cheaper and I don't quite see the need in signing Litmanen, but if you have plans for him then something could work. Great signing in Carlos Fierro too, but I wonder whether you'll need him in the first season or not, what with Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez also there.

Great signings there, particularly Wanyama, Mattheus and Fierro. I'm assuming Litmanen is one for the future?

2013-06-15 20:09#112685 KingPadster : Mattheus and Fierro are fantastic and Wanyama will be a stellar signing but Jari Litmanen?! Never saw this one coming that's for sure

Thanks I have a special plan for Jari.