SAINTS have spent £500,000 to settle the dispute with former manager Nigel Adkins, it was reported today.

Adkins, now in charge at Championship club Reading, had claimed unfair dismissal after he was sacked from the St Mary’s hotseat in January by chairman Nicola Cortese who replaced him with Mauricio Pochettino.

The claim had been due to be heard by an employment tribunal but it was reported today that Adkins had agreed to accept compensation in the region of half a million pounds.

Adkins had a contract with Saints until 2015 but was back in management less than two months after he was fired from St Mary’s.

Adkins succeeded Alan Pardew as Saints boss in September 2010 with the club languishing in League One.

Under him, Saints won back-to-back promotions to return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation under Harry Redknapp in 2005.

Last month the Daily Echo revealed how the Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Ivan White, had written to Adkins to thank him on behalf of the city.

In his reply Adkins wrote: “I was very honoured and privileged to have been the manager of Southampton Football Club and undertook the role and responsibility with a lot of pride.

“I was devastated to be removed from my position but will always look back with fond memories of my time.

“The response from the Southampton public has been phenomenal and emotional to say the least.”