30 May 2008Saints' cash woes make them go Dutch

Football Clubs News | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Southampton have admitted that their financial troubles have been a big factor in their decision to appoint a Dutch manager to replace Nigel Pearson.

Jan Poortvliet, who starred in the Dutch side which nearly won the 1978 World Cup, is the new man in the Saints' hot seat - but he might not be given much money to make new signings.

Significantly, the new manager's wage will be lower than Pearson's though there will be "big bonuses in an incentivised structure".

Southampton chairman Michael Wilde put a statement on the club's website which said: "Since taking control of the club it has been a major priority to resolve the manager and coaching situation and to that end we had to look at the financial restrictions in which we're operating."

The chairman went on to say that "bearing in mind the financial restrictions, the board have decided to implement a coaching structure which will optimise the potential of youngsters within the club".

Saints supporters will be worried that without the necessary experience that shrewd transfers can bring to a side, the club will struggle to repeat last season's feat of staying in the Championship.

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