Lowe certain Poortvliet deal is still going ahead (From Daily Echo)

Lowe certain Poortvliet deal is still going ahead

6:14pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008 in News

RUPERT LOWE is confident the appointment of Poortvliet will be completed.

Helmond Sport say they have not yet agreed to release the man appointed as Saints' new head coach.

The Dutch side also seem to have no interest in losing the man who guided them to the brink of the Eredivisie.

Lowe, Saints PLC chairman, said: "We've just got to tie up the compensation issue and Jan has agreed to pay it out of his own pocket."

Helmond Sport director Mario Captein confirmed: "The situation is still the same as last week.

"He has two contracts, one with our club and one in Southampton, and that is the situation."

Captein added that Helmond would go to the Dutch FA if necessary to resolve the "unique" situation.

"That is what you must ask Jan himself," he said. "I have no deadline on when this has to be resolved.

"I don't think we can, so if we can't, we will go to the judge, the commission, and try and settle it in court.

"It is a unique situation. It has never been done that a trainer signs two contracts. It might be normal in England but it is not over here.

"We don't want him to go and now the club Saints and Jan must solve it with our club.

"In England, Southampton and Jan are discussing what to do now, so we are waiting.

"He has one year left on his contract - one year ago he signed a two year contract.

"We were very surprised to see him unveiled as Saints manager. I think he is the first trainer to sign two contracts at two different clubs."

Poortvliet had previously been quoted as saying: "I really hope that we can reach a deal. This is a unique chance. I need to look at myself now.

"They had to bring out that news, it's that simple. I only signed a pre-contract."