Adam Leitch muses the quest to find a new boss for Saints.

AFTER another week of change Saints need to appoint a new manager to galvanise the club. Few people would begrudge George Burley the chance of managing his country and, to be fair, it feels as if the move has worked out nicely for all concerned.

Burley was much maligned by sections of the St Mary’s supporters towards the end of his two year stint at the club but there is little doubt, on reflection, he has done a good job. To have so many off the field changes to deal with and to have to rebuild your squad twice in
the space of a year is a problem that not that many managers have to face. Burley, pictured, not only did that but showed good grace and humility in the process and continued to make sure Saints played an attractive
and attacking brand of football. Towards the end there were some strange team selections – which ultimately led to there being a few dissenters – but even so he will be remembered as a popular Saints manager and a fairly successful one.

Only a few penalty kicks stopped Saints reaching the play-off final. The plan was after his first full season in charge and having spent a few quid, Burley would be able to keep his squad intact and push for automatic promotion the season after. The financial problems at the club due to a lack of expected investment meant that in fact he had to sell players and, though Burley tried to stay optimistic, there is little doubt for those around him it was a real blow.

But whether people like it or not Burley’s tenure is now in the past and everybody must look ahead. In many ways it can be an exciting time but only if the right appointment is made. Saints fans have an important role to play as well – they must remain realistic. There is nothing wrong with ambition but the new manager will have no money to spend, may not be able to bring in any of their own staff and, without investment soon, will face major cuts to the playing and staff budgets at the end of the season. The new manager’s salary will also not
be the kind of money Saints have paid in the past.

Chuck all those things into the melting pot and you have to realise you are not going to get what would be perceived as a big name appointment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a good manager, and one who could do a superb job at Saints. The key is that the appointment galvanises the club and pulls people together. The new man has to be a popular choice amongst the fans or there is no chance. There may well still be some rocky times
ahead off the field so the club needs somebody who feels passionately about the club and the job to at least form a togetherness that everybody can buy into.