As expected Katharina Liebherr has met Saints staff to assure them she has not become non-executive chairman to oversee an immediate sale of the club.

Liebherr addressed workers at St Mary’s today ahead of the appointment of a new chief executive to run the club on a day to day basis, which is expected to be confirmed in the early part of this week.

The Saints owner said it was business as usual following the departure of Nicola Cortese, having already stated publically that there was no intention to sell any players during the January transfer window.

Liebherr’s actions have quelled wild rumours last week that the motives behind her move were to enable a quick sale of the club.