Southampton sack Nigel Adkins and appoint Mauricio Pochettino

11:46am Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport

Nigel Adkins Nigel Adkins

Nigel Adkins has been sacked as manager of Saints and replaced by former Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The 47-year-old was dismissed this morning by chairman Nicola Cortese, despite having led the club to back-to-back promotions and into 15th place in the Premier League.

Adkins was nearly fired earlier in the season, after a 2-0 loss at West Brom in November left them bottom of the table.

However, following that defeat he had masterminded an impressive upturn in fortunes, with Saints losing just two of their last 12 Premier League matches and pulling three points clear of the drop zone.

That was not enough to stop Cortese putting his search for a new boss on hold, however.

Reports emerged in the last 24 hours that the St Mary’s chief had met Argentinian coach Pochettino, who has been out of work since late November, when he was let go by Espanyol after a poor run of results.

The 40-year-old former Argentina international took over at the Spanish club in 2009, marking his first job in management.

A statement from Cortese said: "This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind. Whilst we acknowledge the contribution Nigel has made during the past two years, for the Club to progress and achieve our long-term targets a change was needed.

“Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager. I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level.

“He also shares my belief that the most successful clubs are built by nurturing young players through a development system that provides a clear path to the First Team, thereby creating a culture that keeps them at the Club for the long term. This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”

A comment from Pochettino added: “This is the kind of opportunity that any coach would relish. Southampton is a club with great heritage, and an even more exciting future. There is a clear vision to take the Club to a new era of sustained success in the Premier League, and beyond, which I’m delighted to be part of.”

Comments(869)

mushrooms says...
11:56am Fri 18 Jan 13

gutted

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Saintsteve7 says...
11:58am Fri 18 Jan 13

Brainless!

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Saintsteve says...
11:59am Fri 18 Jan 13

Never will i set foot in st marys again. Disgraceful.

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jerseysaint says...
11:59am Fri 18 Jan 13

WTF how mad is Cortese.
League one is calling

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petethephantom says...
12:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

cortese like the italians in the war, changed sides and is 2 faced

bestof luck in every endeavour nigel, and good luck to the club that snaps you up ( blackburn maybe)

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adamello says...
12:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Said before, will say again, never trusted cortese

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scooby mark says...
12:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cant believe this,how stupid

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Scillysaint says...
12:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Complete madness, i feel sick avery sad day in the history of southampton fc speechless !

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willygetaway says...
12:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

not happy

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sarfhamton says...
12:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am gutted and feel ashamed to be a Saint today.

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jerseysaint says...
12:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The Everton game should be fun.
If i was Cortese i would stay at home.
Good luck Nigel you are loved.
You will not be out of a job for very long.

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saint in suffolk says...
12:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Crazy. Nigel will be snapped up in no time at all and someone will have a fantastic manager

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Spirit of 58 says...
12:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am speechless - what would NC do to someone who fails? Good luck to you Nigel you deserve better.

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romsey-saint says...
12:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolute f@@@ing disgrace. Best manger we have had in years. Can't describe how angry I am about this.

Marcus would never have sanctioned this.

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up saints says...
12:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

in shock

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sburman says...
12:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am not a true Saints fan ( Green Army Exile & Spirtfires more for me ) but I must say this seems ludicrous.
What more can a manager do to keep his job then what Adkins has achieved?

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SOULJACKER says...
12:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Why would they do that :D

Seems a bit of a strange decision, hope they know what they are doing?

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Ozmosis says...
12:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted.... espcially after recent progress :-(

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mbetts says...
12:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

DISGUSTING!!!!

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Southernlad says...
12:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

this is disgusting - i will never set foot in st marys again. Cortese what on earth is wrogn with you, you need help. i feel sick.

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the third hardest man in sholing says...
12:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted. I would expect the fans to kick off big time. Some guy who cant even speak English for flucks sake!!!

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thomasupton says...
12:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

OMG That is unbelievable.

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Stroppy_gramps says...
12:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

utterly unbelievable!

Nige - all the best mate, we will never ever forget what you did for our club in your time here. I truly hope that you continue your successful career in management, you are a true diamond.

I'm completely gutted by this. And I'm also very very worried now. This was NOT the time to do this.

Who is the new boss? I've never heard of him - as a player or a coach. I hope NC has done the right thing and doesn't regret it like Abramovich is with Benitez.

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manchester exiled Saint says...
12:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

mushrooms wrote:
gutted
Exactly.. I posted a few days ago that while I didnt agree with all that NA had done we were united as a club.

I am so dissapointed.

He deserved better.

I have just one question.. WHY?

The results have been good.

The fans were right behind NA and the club. Just see the support at Villa andChelsea.

Why?

Thanks to Nigel for everything

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Little Hitler says...
12:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Very very regrettable, thank you Nigel for everything you've done for Southampton FC.

BUT, there's clearly a plan to move on to bigger things and the Chairman wants a higher profile manager who can attract the best players in Europe.

It's not right, it's not fair but the best analogy is the 'Saints players for England' thing, they just get picked. Cortese is trying to kick us on to the next level and we have to support him.

No Chelsea type histrionics please, that will do no good for anyone other than our rivals.

All the very best Nigel, a true Saints legend!

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saintmatt01 says...
12:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Worse thing to happen to Saints in quite a while. Just when we had turned the corner. We are looking fairly solid through out the team and playing good attractive football.
We had a young British manager who was giving us the stability we have not had in years.

Cortese out!!

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tomw1234 says...
12:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I'm so fckin angry about this! Adkins worked his a*se off for this club and this is what he gets. After a draw at the Bridge and a win at Villa! We are now doomed to the Championship! Our rivals will be laughing at us now! The boos will be ringing out at St Marys on Monday night! Cortese OUT!

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alanrr says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

not happy at all............disgr
aceful...will not be renewing my season ticket

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TadanariLee says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is ridiculous. Feel genuinely sick and upset for Nige. There must be something behind this, as it can't be purely based on results.

Thank you Nigel - you're a legend.

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Fawleysajollygoodfellow says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sorry Nigel. Thanks for everything you have done for our club. As a fan I truly appreciate what you have done. God help us.

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sasmike says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

cortesse you are a TOSSER

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AKA The Saint says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Harsh!!!

Gutted for Nigel, but shows the ruthless ambition of Cortese, but to what end?

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onlyjoe says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is complete madness, Nigel has just found his feet in these league and the players have some fire back in their bellies - this could be a real downturn for our season - we'll only know in a few months time.

Best of luck Atkins, you will be sorely missed.

I'm in complete disbelief!

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lambo83 says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Embarassed to be a Saints fan.

Biycott the games.

CORTESE out, take your Argie pal with you.

Thanks for the memories Nige, you've overseen one of the best periods for saints in the modern day.


THERE'S ONLY ONE NIGEL ADKINS.

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Taunton Saint says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ridiculous, complete farce

ONE NIGEL ADKINS
THERE IS ONLY ONE NIGEL ADKINS
ONE NIGEL ADKINS

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Bristol_Saint Lewie says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolute disgrace.... Never posted anything before but this is just ridiculous and the epitome of everything wrong with football... Good luck NA!!!

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Matt Le God says...
12:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Dont get it.

Gutted.

Crazy.

NC - it's time to stand up and be counted.

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jwcl says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What does Cortese expect in the first season back in prem! GOOD LUCK to Nigel and when your new team comes to St Mary's give us the biggest stuffing ever...

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ash_ says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Very surprised after our recent run. Thought he deserved the whole season at least.
But it's done now and we have to move on and get behind this new guy, whoever he is!
Lets not let this get the team down.

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Saint Nipper says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Totally disgusted with this whole matter.
Nigel has been a positive element in the rebuilding of SFC - now this.....

What a complete JOKE!!

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Saintade says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolute madness. I feel so sorry for Nigel after what he has achieved, especially turning the team around this season. Expect major backlash along the lines of Benitez. VERY angry.

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Nicole23 says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.

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Sainthicks says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I'm in shock I honestly can't believe this. Adkins has worked wonders for this club and this is the thanks he gets. Shocking decision

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OSPREYSAINT says...
12:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I have been backing NC, but I would like a full explanation about this move, it won't be popular and is sure to be disruptive and explains the delay to the Forren signing.

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randre says...
12:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am gutted... Absolute disgrace.

Nigel was a top man and did a great job.

Sorry Nicola, this decision is a disgrace. If we go down, it is down to you.

Gutted.

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Prit says...
12:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

How to destroy a football club in one easy lesson. Cortese you are a moron.

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HarrytheHorse33 says...
12:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

WTF. Has the world gone mad? I've always believed in Cortese and his plans for OUR club, but this is unbelievable... and as for the timing - why now????

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Thornhill Saint says...
12:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Very upset!!!!!

There have been fans moaning about Nigel's tactics, and substitutions, but he turned it around and things looked good!!!!!

Sometimes the WUMs get it right,

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devonsaint2 says...
12:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I feel really sick....I don't want to go to the Everton game now
or Wigan.( just got my tickets )

Really really feel down

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Ganja Jungle says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am so angry we going to fall a long way now. I think we will see Derby day soon.

No experience in the Prem or english football

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dadofmy3sons says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Saints fans , what to do on Monday?
We do not want to be another Chelsea and boo our own manager, but what is Cortese thinking of?
This is a manager who has been succesful for us and appearred to be going in the right direction.
He will not be out of work for long that is certain.
And who is Pochetino?
Never heard of him nd he has certainly not been very successful so far. Appears to be step backward but only time will tell.
Apologies to the Echo, it appears you had it right.
Still find it hard to believe.

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saintforever says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

an absolute disgrace - after wednesday seeing the team so all together including adkins i thought we had turned a corner - looks like its a dead end

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Thornhill Saint says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

HarrytheHorse33 wrote:
WTF. Has the world gone mad? I've always believed in Cortese and his plans for OUR club, but this is unbelievable... and as for the timing - why now????
January transfer window maybe? Could be a chance for him to get his own men in.

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Readeano says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

absolutly disgusted, he has turned us around and climbing the table now we get someone in who has no experience and no knowledge and sacked from his job for poor results.

Why not someone decent we know or has experience.

Signings will be off now and no progress made

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cherrychris75 says...
12:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

From a cherry up the road. I coudn't stand Adkins but that is one of the strangest decisions after getting a point at the European Champions.
I was just believing we wouldnt be playing you in the Championship next season. Now i'm not sure. Good luck for the rest of the season

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Invidia says...
12:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If NC did not learn anything from Chelsea the other night about an unpopular manager then he has been mislead by someone, the gates have dwindled at Chelsea and so they will at St Mary's this is sheer madness and I cannot forsee the fallout that will come of this. Mr Potchettino (who) has no more pedigree than NA so why rock the boat. it looks like the media is running football these days.

DISGUSTED FAN.

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Hdg end mo says...
12:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigel thank you for everything you have achieved this is a disgraceful decision by cortese.
Feel extreamly sad for you and angry at the club.
Cortese done the dirty on nigel
Fing disgraceful behaviour
Cortese out

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devonsaint2 says...
12:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
P1ss off Pompey scum

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sfranck says...
12:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Wake me up, it's a nightmare.....

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Walter K says...
12:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Didn't want to take all the non-believers' money - taking candy from babies.....
Good luck in your next endeavour Nigel.

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up saints says...
12:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

iam lost for words this thread will hit 1000 comments

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tomw1234 says...
12:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The Saints fans will be chanting your name Nigel on Monday night. We will never forget what you did for us. ONLY ONE NIGEL ADKINS!!!!

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petethephantom says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

was going down to the travel agent tommorrow to buy a ticket 2 see soton like i did last year
screw it...... i'll save the $3000 ( 2000 pounds) and have holidays at home.....

i thought we had stable management but seems this ITIE thinks we after 2 promotions are man u or man city or chelsea ( then again chelsea is run by ities as well ) enough said

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Quite Frankly says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese, you are a despicable toad.

Leave now - we don't need vipers like you here.

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Lockssmart says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

That'll be Saints in the Championship next season then!

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lowe esteem says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Success at all costs Nicola-you may have just slewed the Bus off the good road ahead

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St.henley says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So instead of buying players he has sacked an ambitios manager and replaced him with an argentine espanyol reject!! WTF championship here we come (next move they'll sell Rickie)

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apm1954 says...
12:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

is cortese a skate

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Mark fan for ever says...
12:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am in shock the chairman must be on drugs I can't believe it .

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mustard says...
12:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Like most of you I am gutted an confused, the only silver lining I can see is that this is how I felt when Pardew was sacked and things actually got better..........impo
rtant thing is not to protest during the game, we've seen how the atmosphere at Chelsea works against their team. Keep the faith COYR !

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grafton1952 says...
12:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cannot believe it,Nigel, thanks for a great job, all the best for the future.

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boilerman says...
12:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Disgraceful
I feel ashamed, embarrased, sad,disgusted.
Cortese should go .
All the best Nigel you should feel proud of what you have achieved, now go after Saints for Compensation.
This really does make you lose faith with English football.

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legh_langston says...
12:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Solves Chelsea's problems! Benitez out
Adkins in! asap!

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Southern Driver says...
12:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Best manager we've had for years and that prat Cortese sacks him. What the hell is he playing at?

I won't be going to St Marys again...sod 'em.

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Farehamscareham says...
12:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thanks Nige for the back-to-backs and the style of play and belief you gave back to the club.
Good luck wherever you end up.

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InCortesewetrust says...
12:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Good luck nige your a top bloke and good manager, WHO THE F*UCK IS PINOCHIO? NC you have just lost all respect from the fans, such a silly move, I can't believe it, pinochio better hit the ground running, I hope nige gets a good club soon, what dose pinochio bring to our table?

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priesters says...
12:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

"This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind."
Has it f*ck.
Back-to-back promotions, good form in the premiership which is surely a stepping stone to pushing on next year, with one of THE best young managers around!
I thought the days of us being a laughing stock were over...obviously not.

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lowe esteem says...
12:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Success at all costs eh, Nicola?
You may just have slewed the Bus off the good road ahead?

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crashley says...
12:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I could cry,end of!!!!!!!!!!!! FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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St.DaveH says...
12:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

It dont happen often, but I am speechless - WTFis going on when the club is making good progress game on game under the guidance of a man of total integrity - the results have been improving and the players appeared to perform for him........I am gutted....COYRs.

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Brusher Mills says...
12:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thanks Nigel for everything. This is a shock, but we support Saints and must now support the new manager. The Chairman has a plan, let hope it works.

What's done is done, it can't be changed time to move on.

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saintlysoul says...
12:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Seed house, Valerie, Slugger, Osprey, et al I told you. I told you NA and NC weren't talking. They haven't spoken since Christmas. I told you the players wanted NA to go. NA had fallen out with Kelvin Davis he wasn't speaking with him. That caused bad feeling in the team. I've been telling you all this fir some time. You thought I was a WUM. You thought I was stirring. You thought I was winding people up. You called me a skate. How. Do you all feel now?

Southampton has big problems behind the scenes as this evidences. You all think everything is fine well it's not. That's been my concern. This club is potentially heading for downfall and none of you can see it.

I feel gutted and so sorry for NA he's a nice man who has done his best but has been a dead man walking for a long time. It's appalling tat he's been ignored by NC he didn't even know about any new signings because he's not been consulted how awful is that?

NC is trouble. No inter personal skills. He will rue this decision. I've told you that's its NC who's been picking the team not NA hence why Guly is played hence why JWP isn't. Davis has been played ahead of JWP what a joke - reason NC!!!!

To fill you all in even more Ramirez is unhappy and wants out and Ouncheon has doubts about his future at Saints.

Well there you are perhaps now you'll listen. Perhaps when people say things you'll listen rather than being abusive, rude and ignorant? Our club is in trouble we should be addressing that rather tha n posting smug comments about PFC - the way things are moving it could be casinos before long.

I wish NA well I'm sure he won't be out of work for long!!!!!!

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Bitterne Park Tim says...
12:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We have no idea what has been going on in the background.... NC has dne nothing wrong so far..... we have to trust the decision. Who cares who manages the club.... SOUTHAMPTON FC is what matters, This new guy could be fantastic! GIVE HIMA CHANCE!

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Somewhere local says...
12:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Pochettino, who has been out of work since late November, when he was let go by Espanyol after a poor run of results

Errrrrr am I missing something

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Ozmosis says...
12:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Quite Frankly wrote:
Cortese, you are a despicable toad.

Leave now - we don't need vipers like you here.
Sorry, that's a bit harsh. I don't like it one bit, but Cortese got Marcus involved. Without him the club would have been doomed. I just hope NC really knows what he's doing - I'm not convinced currently....

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lowe esteem says...
12:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Agree Sir Dave Merrington- BIZARRE!

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Saintsteve7 says...
12:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Be very surprised now if we don't go down. Shocking decision!

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christian-saint says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigel's record speaks for itself, Will always be a Saints Legend now. Why is football becoming such a hard game to support? This is so wrong and yet not all that much of a shock in what has become a game so detached from morality. I don't know how much more I can take. Shame. Thanks Nigel, I LOVED my time on the bus!!!

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gadge60 says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am absolutely dismayed, shocked and disgusted. I thought we got rid of Rupert!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently he has Italian relations...........
I am not sure that I will ever attend St Marys while Cortese is in charge. This shws an absolute failure to understand how to build long term success in a football club.

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AndyAndrews says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese's ruining the club and I'm not going back there until he goes.

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red stripe says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

mushrooms wrote:
gutted
Nig did start a bit shakey and may be a bit nieve at first but he is learning the same as the team. Saints have belife and a strong togertherness which would have bonded our premiership status. How will the players feel now its suicide! He is nothing but an Italian Banker!

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SPIKEISLANDTRADER says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

mushrooms wrote:
gutted
BLOODY SUICIDE

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SaintPaul says...
12:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Probably the best Southampton manager in living memory and he gets sacked...for what!!!???

Absoluteley ludicrous, I'm not going on Monday night now. I respect the players 100%, but not the chairman after this very poor decision. How do we keep the faith now!?

Good luck Nige and thank you.

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St Retford says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

To be fair, whenever Nicola makes a controversial decision he usually ends up being correct in the long term, but I'm still gutted for Nigel.

I can't see why we've gone for someone like Pochettino though. His managerial record doesn't exactly jump out. Maybe we're trying to buy more South Americans?

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lyn, says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Im absolutely disgusted. I hope Cortese is prepared for the backlash from fans!


Good luck Nigel!

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harryt93 says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

NC is mad. Poor decision, it'll be like Chelsea situation all over

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Ross123 says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thornhill Saint wrote:
HarrytheHorse33 wrote:
WTF. Has the world gone mad? I've always believed in Cortese and his plans for OUR club, but this is unbelievable... and as for the timing - why now????
January transfer window maybe? Could be a chance for him to get his own men in.
yep now wonder no one has been signed yet! looks like this has been the plan to get a new manager and get his own men in!

love nigel to bits, legend,

but if this guy gets in some top players and gets us 5 wins on the spin,

then happy days,

if not then cortese has a lot to answer for!

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fratton84 says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If that's the kind of club we have become then I'd rather we'd been left to die when we went into administration...

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tharg64 says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

WTF are Saints thinking?!!

Cortese replaces Nigel with a manager who was sacked for getting poor results?!?!

This is not in the interests of the club, players and fans!

Reinstate Adkins and Sack Cortese!!!!!

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jersey saint says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Upto now have I had faith in Cortese.....not now though! Its too far into the season to suffer the obvious dip in form that the team will suffer due to this unsettling change. I'm sure all the players that have worked with Nigel will be as gutted as we are and there will be obvious side effects which will show in the forthcoming results? NC you have made a catastrophic blunder which I hope does not lead to our relegation. Nigel, its been a pleasure to support a team led by you and I wish you success in the future. :-(

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batesieboy says...
12:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Calm down everyone...remember that it was Cortese who saved us from extinction a few years ago! Remember that he sacked Pardew and most of us were bemused...but he brought in Adkins. So far he has got everything right...this could be the move to the next level.
Nige has been great, and I wish him all the best with HIS new Club and fresh challenge.
Our business is to support Southampton Football Club, that's all.

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olddellsaint says...
12:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

MR NIGEL ATKINS; FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I WISH TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR BELOVED SAINTS, YOU BROUGHT PRIDE BACK TO ST MARYS, AND YOU BROUGHT US BACK TO THE TOP TIER,


'THE LEAST WE FORGET'

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skiptonsaint says...
12:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted
Thanks nigel and sorry

Disgraceful

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Saint dog says...
12:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We draw with Chelsea
Then cortese thinks he is a Russian
The team played with conviction and turned up for a fight
Chap low was great
I can't see how this Argie can do much better .what transfers can we expect?
Hostile at St Mary's monday

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PTID1898 says...
12:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

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business-guru says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

shows how wrong I can be.... gutted.

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malcher says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Angry, sad, embarassed, confused, disgusted. Apart from that speechless.
I suppose St Marys will be like Stamford Bridge now, booing the current manager and singing for the old one.
All the very best and thank you so much Nigel

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Red n White says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I'm shocked. The only explanation I can think of is that better foreign players are unwilling to play under Adkins.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a big name signing now to try and calm the fans. At least I hope so, or Cortese is in for a lot of stick!

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bluehants says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

WTF

I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football

I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there .
Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league
what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere

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Cotterclan says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What is that idiot Cortese up to?
He can put 3 season tickets up where the sun don't shine.
Thank you Nigel, u did us proud.

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Chris1991 says...
12:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

From The Saints web site, the new guy's record "In the 146 league matches for which he was at the helm, 49 resulted in victory (33.6%), 33 were draws (22.6%) and 64 ended in defeat (43.8%)."

A sucessful manager eh?

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burtonoracle says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Instant reaction is that Cortese, if possible, is even more of a little **** than previously reputed. His statement is the usual crap spouted by chairmen after knifing a poorly performing manager in the back made far far worse when applied to a brilliant manager and man like NA.
As for Pottechino - who's he and what's he done apart from getting sacked by Espanyol.
What is the evidence of him being a 'well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager.' None that I can find.
Finally unless Cortese has learnt more that is humanly possible about football in the last three years, someone is pulling his strings just as they did when he appointed NA. Les Reed is the obvious suspect so do some real journalism at the Echo and dig the dirt out.
Apart from that a million thanks to Nigel for the ride and good luck,

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dadofmy3sons says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Press conference at 2.30 with an interpreter.
A manager who needs an interpreter is going to struggle.
The claims that Nigel needed more exprience at this level and didn't kow players?
So how does an Argie who coached badly at a lower level club struggling in the top level of an inferior league going to cope?
"On 28 September 2010 Pochettino extended his contract with the club for one more year, until 30 June 2012. On 26 November 2012, however, following a 0–2 home loss against Getafe CF that left the Pericos in the last place with just nine points from 13 matches, he was relieved of his duties"
Not what I envisage as a step up!
Support the Saints. Still.

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thomasupton says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Liebherr family if you truly love this club please sack Cortese now

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mbetts says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
SHUT UP YOUR CLUBS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!

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gadge60 says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And for the record..... Nigel, you are fantastic and will be very sorely missed. You are decent, truthful, committed, honest and made me very proud to be a Saints fan. You are a great manager and it is Cortese who should go, not you.

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tomw1234 says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

dadofmy3sons wrote:
Saints fans , what to do on Monday?
We do not want to be another Chelsea and boo our own manager, but what is Cortese thinking of?
This is a manager who has been succesful for us and appearred to be going in the right direction.
He will not be out of work for long that is certain.
And who is Pochetino?
Never heard of him nd he has certainly not been very successful so far. Appears to be step backward but only time will tell.
Apologies to the Echo, it appears you had it right.
Still find it hard to believe.
I think we should chant Nigels name on Monday night and show him what he meant to us and to show our appreciation of him. He was our saviour. I don't believe in booing the new manager as he deserves a chance but I think we should show our support to Adkins and show NC that he cannot do things like this without an uproar from us fans who pay to watch our team week in week out!

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gadge60 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And for the record..... Nigel, you are fantastic and will be very sorely missed. You are decent, truthful, committed, honest and made me very proud to be a Saints fan. You are a great manager and it is Cortese who should go, not you.

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gadge60 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And for the record..... Nigel, you are fantastic and will be very sorely missed. You are decent, truthful, committed, honest and made me very proud to be a Saints fan. You are a great manager and it is Cortese who should go, not you.

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Yura Nicced says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely disgusted - Cortese - u r a disgrace - unbelievable

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gadge60 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And for the record..... Nigel, you are fantastic and will be very sorely missed. You are decent, truthful, committed, honest and made me very proud to be a Saints fan. You are a great manager and it is Cortese who should go, not you.

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gadge60 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And for the record..... Nigel, you are fantastic and will be very sorely missed. You are decent, truthful, committed, honest and made me very proud to be a Saints fan. You are a great manager and it is Cortese who should go, not you.

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cooksareus says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If Cortese has a clue what he is doing other than heading for 1st division I will be amazed(he must be a skater boy at heart)
The new manager did take 9 points from 13 games in his last job

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SPIKEISLANDTRADER says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thanks Nigel for everything you have done , you will be missed . What is Cortese doing ????????????

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lambo83 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Who the f**k is laughing now
That would be us.

How's your League 1 relegation battle and court case going?

Silly skate tit.

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mickmickmickmickmickmickmills.. says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Adkins, you are a legend. You have lifted this club from the depths whilst keeping a core and talented nucleus of players who are playing terrific football in the Prem. You are intelligent, articulate and i've been proud to have you as our manager. I reckon the players are going to be gutted to see you go and that is what i'm worried about now because they have been so completely behind you. I have no doubt that you will go onto greater things and not hold any bitterness to the fans or the club.(although that will be hard)

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rs1986 says...
12:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I never comment on here, but this is an absolute disgrace....Nigel could not have done anymore...2 promotions in two seasons....15th in the prem, playing good football, bringing the youth through...nige was doing a fantastic job, and we had turned the corner in the league!...now we have a guy who doesn't no the team and has no experience of English football!....I've a good mind to throw my season ticket in the dustbin!...absolute disgrace!...

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CharlieGeorgesMissingFinger says...
12:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

**** off Cortese you are an absolute ****

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margie933 says...
12:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I can't believe it. What a smack in the face for a man who has worked so hard for the club. Just when things were getting better. Whoever snaps up Nigel will be very lucky to have him. I wish him Good Luck & Success in the future.

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St Retford says...
12:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thinking about it, Pochettino is an Argentinian who has plied his managerial trade in Barcelona. This can only mean one thing: Messi's on his way to St Marys.

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St. Saint says...
12:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

For F*CK sake!!!!

Now we have a manager who got 9 points from 13 games and left Getafe bottom of the league. Sounds like our seasons over.

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up saints says...
12:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saintlysoul wrote:
Seed house, Valerie, Slugger, Osprey, et al I told you. I told you NA and NC weren't talking. They haven't spoken since Christmas. I told you the players wanted NA to go. NA had fallen out with Kelvin Davis he wasn't speaking with him. That caused bad feeling in the team. I've been telling you all this fir some time. You thought I was a WUM. You thought I was stirring. You thought I was winding people up. You called me a skate. How. Do you all feel now?

Southampton has big problems behind the scenes as this evidences. You all think everything is fine well it's not. That's been my concern. This club is potentially heading for downfall and none of you can see it.

I feel gutted and so sorry for NA he's a nice man who has done his best but has been a dead man walking for a long time. It's appalling tat he's been ignored by NC he didn't even know about any new signings because he's not been consulted how awful is that?

NC is trouble. No inter personal skills. He will rue this decision. I've told you that's its NC who's been picking the team not NA hence why Guly is played hence why JWP isn't. Davis has been played ahead of JWP what a joke - reason NC!!!!

To fill you all in even more Ramirez is unhappy and wants out and Ouncheon has doubts about his future at Saints.

Well there you are perhaps now you'll listen. Perhaps when people say things you'll listen rather than being abusive, rude and ignorant? Our club is in trouble we should be addressing that rather tha n posting smug comments about PFC - the way things are moving it could be casinos before long.

I wish NA well I'm sure he won't be out of work for long!!!!!!
you have a good point here we do not know what goes on behind closed doors and after this it does make you wonder who is picking the team

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Danzig says...
12:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

An absolutely devasting decision. We've really lost something that we can never get back. Someone pull the knife out of NIgels back.

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lowe esteem says...
12:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

InCortesewetrust wrote:
Good luck nige your a top bloke and good manager, WHO THE F*UCK IS PINOCHIO? NC you have just lost all respect from the fans, such a silly move, I can't believe it, pinochio better hit the ground running, I hope nige gets a good club soon, what dose pinochio bring to our table?
Changing your handle, I expect?

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hedge end bob says...
12:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
You tozzer, but your entitled to your opion.

Can not believe this of Nicola. Nigel your a diamond and do not deserve to be stabbed in the back like this.
A very big thankyou for picking our club up by the scruff of its neck and taing us on a journey we have not experienced for a very long time.

I hope your next appointment will have the CHAIRMAN that will treat you as you deserve and it will not be very long in coming.

IN ADKINS I TRUSTED.
IN OUR CHAIRMAN , NOT NO MORE.

THE GRIM REAPER IS IN CHARGE BEWARE!!!!!

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DBTM says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well, I have bought my last ever ticket for a game at St Mary's. Or any other ground for that matter. Professional football will not get any more money from me.

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SaintAsh1964 says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Can't believe this, NC hang your head in shame, you have made our club look like a laughing stock, ffs, it's not like we're bottom of the League shipping goals and looking terrible is it, is there no loyalty in football any more, I've always backed NC and NA, but to all those people that said NC is some kind of dark lord, I apologise.
NA go with your head held high, you have done a fantastic job at Saints, back to back promotions, and producing an attractive attacking team,
I hope this next bloke hits the ground running, cos if we start to struggle again NC might wake up with a horses head in his bed.
The King is dead, long live the King.
GUTTED!

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philiprhampton says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Goodbye St Marys great team good football enjoyed the last three years but you can poke your club where the sun don't shine NC.

Good luck Nigel you've been great.

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Cazzasaint says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolute joke I'm afraid!! Why oh why????????

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Peachiesleftfoot says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Never saw this coming. Very disappointing, this really needs a better explanation as I'm sure most will be at a loss over this decision.

NA won't have any problems getting another job in the premier league one of the best young english managers in years

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Skating on thin ice says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

MR ORANGE replaced by Argentinian TANGO MAN! You couldn't make it up. Still, my bet on NA leaving before the end of the season has ended nicely in profit.

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Quayside03 says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted for Adkins, but let's not forget all the negative text messages sent in by fans during half-time on Wednesday; just feeding off 'the boy Merrington's' view that Adkins is naive and tactically lacking or is there a genuine underlying feeling that a manager with a profile can motivate the likes of Ramires and bring in new talent. After all, we still haven't got that centre half!

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NewForestSaint says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Was worried about Nigel Adkins at the start of the season and he made some strange decisions particularly not getting PL experience into the team but its clear he started to get it right recently and we became more confident of survival - this decision shows again everything what is wrong with football in this country - what does Cortese know about English football and English fans - we feel betrayed and he now appoints someone with no PL experience - its incredible and another great suicide note for the club - I feel sorry for the fans and for Mr Adkins - neither deserve this treatment from people who are here today gone tomorrow "executives" who have never probably played football in their life or supported a team through thick and thin - good luck Nigel - will think of you on Monday night - our loss is another team's gain

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foresthorse says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

And congratulations from all the clowns on here to the Echo for correctly tipping up this story 24 hours earlier. No? Thought not.

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Bpl333 says...
12:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

From a Bmth fan...

Disgraceful, cortese is only in it for himself...

Adkins will be a wanted man, and could come back to haunt you...

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Epsom Saint says...
12:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted, but it's important we all get behind the team and the new manager. I'm not happy, but we've got to move on and get a result on Monday.

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seven777. says...
12:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

writing was on the wall wednesday night when NA said he was not the person to ask about incoming players.players, managers and staff come and go thats football. i say give NA our thanks and give the new guy our support its not his fault the Don can be a d@@k head.

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OSPREYSAINT says...
12:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Who the f**k is laughing now
Typical, but not unexpected from you, we will get over it, have no fear, your grief is far greater than ours, not that I am happy about that either.

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tharg64 says...
12:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

thomasupton wrote:
Liebherr family if you truly love this club please sack Cortese now
I Agree

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Swansea Saint says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

First post for me as I really concerned.
What do we did learn from the Lowe era? Repeated change and chances taken on unheard of or unproven managers took us to the brink! We are now left with a manager of such repute that he was sacked from his only job for poor results. Hardly a ringing endorsement. Now NA may have had some tactical challenges to overcome, but he had a united team playing for each other, and with enough confidence to express themselves and develop the winning habit in the Premier League, that we were used to in the two successive promotion seasons. We were always ahead of plan and this year should have been about noting more than surviving and building on a platform to grow.
This could be a masterstroke, but could equally be an ill-timed catastrophic error. To be fair, Adkins was not a universal choice when appointed either.
So now, we back the team to the hilt as normal, give the new guy our support and a chance and hammer Cortese. Wealthy bankers are used to living and dying by big decisions, and this may well the decision on which he is judged and remembered for.
NA will always be a legend because he delivered the Premiership. Some other club will gain from this decision.

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apm1954 says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

cortese you know the way to itchin bridge i hope one nigel adkins

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charm_saints says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

No one knows what was happening behind the scenes.Although sad to see Adkins go we are still in a relagation battle and some of the bad results have been down to cr.p tactics from Adkins. We must welcome the new manager and not boo him!!.I have seen many managers and players go over the years and i am still a season ticket holder because i support my team whoever manages or plays for them.COYRs

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SPIKEISLANDTRADER says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Skates in DIV 2 or playing football next season . This is the real ha ha ha .

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Berks_Saint says...
12:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well - that's really taken the biscuit! Nigel Adkins seemed a thoroughly decent bloke who was instrumental in getting us back where we belong and what's more we've achieved it by playing attractive football. We, the fans, have a great last three years - but as for our prospects now??? I suppose it could have been worse - it could have been the turncoat Redkrapp. All the best Nigel - thanks for giving us three really good years. Let's hope Nicola's football nouse is as good as his money management. COYR!

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JohnItaly says...
12:30pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Have supported Saints since 1953!! Enoyed the highs and suffered the lows. For the first time I hope Saints get hammered in next few games with the fans chanting NA's name. I live in Italy and trusting an Italian is something to be avoided.

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saintlysoul says...
12:30pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Lets hope what is said in this article is correct i.e. the new man is a believer in youth coming through. That IMO has to be right. What is the point of having such a great Academy if we still buy foreign players? It's nonsese. Shaw and JWP are examples of the quality players Saints are developing. There are more. Shaw has excelled. To keep him at this club he needs to be around top quality players - like him others are coming through from the Academy.

I'm very sorry for NA as he's a nice man and has done a great job ut this change may be a case of the new broon sweeping clean!

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devonsaint2 says...
12:30pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad

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devonsaint2 says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad

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cantthinkofone says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Utter madness. Where were Saints this time a year and a half ago?

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tomw1234 says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

**** the new manager and **** Cortese. **** it all.

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Hobson82 says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Very suprised. I can't understand why NC has done this now. If he had doubts whether NA could deliver in the Premier League then he should of done this before the season had started, after the WBA defeat or at the end of the season.

I just hope the lads respond to this decision in a positive way and the fans stay behind the team. As much as I liked NA I for one won't be chanting his name. Chanting the ex-managers name hasn't done Chelsea any favours.

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Ray the Don says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

f**kin joke.

I said it 2 years ago NC has to go he is worse than Rupert Lowe.

Good Luck NA.

Im now wondering when our players start to jump ship.

Rumour has it that SFC are looking for an Agentinian translaret £50.000 grand a year apply to NC no experience required.!!!

COYR!!!!

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hulla baloo says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

WTF. Simon doing a great job under very difficult conditions, above the drop zone, to be replaced by an Argy who was sacked because of poor results.
Hope the next few games are involve protests, even boycotted.

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saintmicky says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

End of another truly great era in the history of our club. I haven't been around long enough to have known us be as low as the bottom end of the third tier, before this time, but to have experienced the euphoria of back to back promotions, has been a real joy, largely this joy is thanks to the man we have just sacked.

I like every other true Saint wish Nigel the very best for the future, which I am sure will involve great success at the highest level. I sincerely hope that our chairman knows what he is doing, I struggle to understand his decision but accept his ambitions are the same as ours, and he is driving the bus.

STID

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St.David says...
12:31pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Completely and utterly gutted. . . There is no loyalty left in football. I really am in shock. I hope you land a great job soon NA with a chairman with a few morals. Thankyou for everything you have done. It's been a great journey and one I'm sure many supporters will feel reluctant to continue with the same enthusiasm. NC. . . You really are a very ruthless man. I hope you know what you are doing. Coyrs.

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Bitterne Park Tim says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I always found him incredibly dull........ Look forward to the new guy! Good luck at Blackpool NA.

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Ray the Don says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

translater

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loosehead says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

He was let go by espanyol after a run of bad results?
Adkins is on a good run so how is sacking him and appointing an out of work manager improving the situation?
Has he watched a defence that's struggled to cope or not quite good enough goalies?
or has this all been done & dusted for months & he has been looking at recruiting new players as soon as he arrives?
I might have questioned Adkins ability at this level but is this Argentinan an Improvement or will this action be our death nail?

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St Forlife says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A 5 year plan to getr in the prem - did it in 3 with Nigel here only for 2. Easily as good as any other team outside the top 8 at this stage - 5 months of Prem League experience.

Playing football that is entertaining and Nigel has brought a real feel good factor to the whole club. Now here we are again - run like any typical large company is these days with short term in mind all the time.

All business heads talk the long term game NC is no different but this stinks of getting results overnight and selling off to another questionable investor who wants to wasdh a few billion quid through a football launderette.

I will be forever a saints fan but this is probably one of the most dissapointing days supporting this wonderful club I have ever had.

That dressing room must be a strange place to be - suddenly each player is no longer a growing talent but a commodity again. If you want commodities in the dressing room you get mercenaries who don't give two hoots about the badge on their shirt.

Good luck Nigel - some Premiership club is going to be very fortunate indeed whilst Soton at least has a manager ending in "ino" so we sound good.

Next year lets get rid of the thin white stripe and appeal more to Asian markets - boost that balance sheet and find a new buyer - all this talk about big plans are in my view .....

Just so dissapointed

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SMF20 says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hey guys,

Brighton fan here, I come in peace.

Can't believe this news... From an outsiders viewpoint, this guy would have appeared to have worked miracles for your club. To take you from Div 1 to the Premiership back to back is a feat that not many managers have the ability to do.
I enjoyed the banter NA shared with us, especially during the Div 1 campaign, seemed a decent guy and a good manager.

Good luck with the rest of your season and hope that this wont have an adverse effect on your climb to safety.

Have fun

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Buddy SFC says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gutted !

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Jesus_02 says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

bluehants wrote:
WTF I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there . Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere
I hate to admitt it but I agree with you.

Saints where doing something special and htey have blown it now they have lost all the unity and are just an average Premiership club thats part of the managerial merry go round

I didnt really care if we got relegated before we where "togehter as one" and as long as the team made us proud I would stick by them.

I expect to lose a couple of key players as well this transfer window. Is Lallana, Lambert, Sniderlin and Shaw likely to feel as much loyalty to an average spanish manager?

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Rocket 1 says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a tw&t Nicola Cortese is, still what can you expect from a man with a Girls name, probaby dont even understand the offside rule let alone football, best of luck Nigel you done this City Proud, Back to Back promotions oh and not to forget the Wembley win, I hope Coutese's next SH&T is a Hedgehog.

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harryt93 says...
12:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Good luck Adkins, wherever you go I hope you get the chance to prove you're a top quality premiership manager once again.

Shocked.

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harryt93 says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Good luck Adkins, wherever you go I hope you get the chance to prove you're a top quality premiership manager once again.

Shocked.

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ghk230473 says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I think we have lowes evil brother in charge, twice as ruthless and knows even less about football.
Adkins had his faults but what is the point in changing now, why not see where we are in the summer. I don't think this will do our survival chances any good.

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jonnyP says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

mushrooms wrote:
gutted
So when did Rupert Lowe come back to destroy our Saints?
Unbelievable!!!

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devonsaint2 says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

charm_saints wrote:
No one knows what was happening behind the scenes.Although sad to see Adkins go we are still in a relagation battle and some of the bad results have been down to cr.p tactics from Adkins. We must welcome the new manager and not boo him!!.I have seen many managers and players go over the years and i am still a season ticket holder because i support my team whoever manages or plays for them.COYRs
What a load of nonsense you talk

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hulla baloo says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hulla baloo wrote:
WTF. Simon doing a great job under very difficult conditions, above the drop zone, to be replaced by an Argy who was sacked because of poor results.
Hope the next few games are involve protests, even boycotted.
Oops,. In my fury I got his name wrong. Sorry Nigel.

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SaintJD says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Prize for the first person who suggests Nigel was sacked for misconduct.

This is a disgrace, just as the Pardew decision was a disgrace.

I'm honestly disgusted and upset for the club, fans and most of all Nigel, who is and will always be a legend deserving of a statue at St Mary's if anything, not the sack.

His positivity has been a credit to him and, if he hasn't been gagged, I'm sure he will come out with dignity and probably a top job within weeks, probably at Aston Villa.

We deserve what we get and, whether we get success or not, this is the sort of damage that can't be repaired or forgotten.

Was looking forward to Monday night, now I dread to think what will happen.

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TomLockwoodd says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

2 defeats in 12 games, 2-0 down fight back against champions of europe and this is what happens? worse news to come out of southampton in ages, all the best Nigel, you are a LEGEND for what you have down.

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saint Compo says...
12:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR

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Paul TS says...
12:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Disgraceful, Cortese this could be your biggest mistake! You then bring in an unproven manager in the premiership? Thank you Nigel for all that you have done, think the crowd might be now doing a Di Mateo and Chelsea Monday night if game is still on! I expect he will be quickly snapped up. Marcus must be turning in his grave. Also very unsettling for the players and staff!

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Lm once said hello to me says...
12:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

About as much loyalty as the Great British public sacking Winston Churchill in the first election after the war!! (Only far more important and undeserved). I have supported for over 45 years through thick and thin, but i'm not proud to be a Saint today.

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milton road says...
12:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

ONE NIGEL ADKINS THERE IS ONLY ONE NIGEL ADKINS.


THIS DECISION IS NONSENSE WE HAD EVERY THING ON TRACK GOING WELL. HIS ENTHUSIASM HAD THIS TEAM PLAYING AND NOW..........

GOOD LUCK NIGEL AND MAY YOU GET A CHAIRMAN WHO HAS MORE SENSE OF LOYALTY THAN THIS ONE

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Rockhopper says...
12:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a joke-anyone with knowledge of football understands just to stay in the Premiership this season would be a great achievement.
The time for further progress could then be made.
If we had been relegated then we still had the best manager to get us back up.
Fact is the fans and players were all behind the club and Nigel Adkins.
This decision has increased the potential for that to change for the worse.
Therefore the percentage chance of relegation has now increased.

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dadofmy3sons says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese is not going to be moved by any show of solidarity regarding Nigel, So it will be only for our own and Nigel's sake that we chant his name on Monday.
Favourite according to the bookies for the Blackpool job, I hope he waits and gets a better offer. He can do so much better than a perpetually struggling club and I think he will cme back to bite our b(u)m.
And LeTiss comments he wasn't shocked!
It was good to be a Saints fan for a while....... not at the moment though!

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allsaintsnocurves says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ok...I am gutted for Adkins and furious with Cortese. If he had these plans then why not wait until the end of the season and see how Adkins can do. That said Pochettino did well in 4 years at Espanyo with very little finances and has a history of developing youngsters. If Cortese sees this manager as the one to take Saints forward and he is now currently available then I suppose it makes sense to get him on board. The delay in November was probably due to Cortese wanting stability until the January transfer window.

Adkins was probably told then that he would be replaced but if he got Saints as high as possible he would receive a higher payoff.

I was going to boycott on Monday but am now going to chant Adkins name...after that we move on. Together as one!

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Blandford Saints says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Lambert benched....Ramirez benched......No contract for Puncheon... Next three put the door???

Guly to play (sorry in the team!!)

Defender signed??

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Simpleasthat says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Right now I feel absolutely gutted. I think that NC had made this decision several weeks ago after the West Brom game and that it has taken all these weeks to get the new man in. But over the last few weeks Nigel has proved that he is more than capable of managing in the PL.
Nigel - thank you for all you have done. you didn't deserve to be treated like this. You won't be out of a good managerial job for long.
I just hope that Mauricio Pochettino is up to the job. I have read some good reports about him.
I appeal to all true SFC fans - let's get behind the club, the team, and this new manager. Don't do a Chelski and let any feelings you have about the sacking of Nigel transfer on to the pitch and undermine our great club.

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ellaniall says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a fiasco! Things were looking up and now we're a laughing stock again. Two defeats in twelve premiership games!!! Is rupert back in charge?

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hythe knights says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

the poison dwarf has no class or clue

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saints_alive says...
12:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely disgraceful! Adkins is a young talented and very dignified manager who has brought about stability and instilled belief in the hearts of thousands of Saints fans. Back to back promotions, a draw at Stamford Bridge and he gets replaced by an unknown Argentine manager who probably hasn't a clue how to negotiate one of the worlds toughest leagues.
Do me favour NC...Prove us all wrong.
Good luck Nigel!! You'll have no problem finding a post somewhere else.

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Ray the Don says...
12:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Mauricio Pochettino who the f**k is he.

An Argey at the helm do they not hate the English!! over the Falklands.

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sarfhamton says...
12:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

lambo83 wrote:
PTID1898 wrote:
Who the f**k is laughing now
That would be us.

How's your League 1 relegation battle and court case going?

Silly skate tit.
We are mate, we may be gutted for Adkins but we now have one of the most promising managers in football.

It may be cold in Soton but it will be -10 in Pompey soon

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leechyboy says...
12:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Apparently he wasn't the first to be interviewed and he has been with Cortese scouting players in Spain and Italy for the last week. So it looks like regardless of the result against Villa and Chelsea his mind was made up.

This is an absolute joke. Dont even care if he does bring success, this is a sad sad day.

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ian redhill says...
12:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

FFS I thought Cortese had brains, not convinced by this though. Did Do Prado cost Nigel his job!!!!!!!!!!! There will only be one Nigel Adkins, this new guy was sacked for poor results by some dodgy spanish team what hope survival now.

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Swansea Saint says...
12:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Language barrier will be an issue, as will lack of experience.
I always wish we could get Hoddle back, as he was the manager that best affected the way we played and improved the players we had eg Bridge and Marsden becoming about the best left sided duu in the country.

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St Retford says...
12:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*

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jonnyP says...
12:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigel Adkins. Proper decent bloke who deserved to be given at least this season with the team he's nurtured.
But while football clubs are being run purely on business lines these are the s#%t decisions that will ocurr. A very sad day for the Saints.
All the Best for the future Nigel!!!

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steve703 says...
12:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sorry English football Fans, ANOTHER FOREIGNER. English is suffering as these characters are NOT going to promote young English players. A sad state of affairs For Saints, I Feel For Nigel , Saints have just started to pull away from the bottom of the premier league, now Cortese has done this!

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jerseysaint says...
12:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Its a bloody disgrace and i love Nigel Adkins however according to a guy on talksport the new manager is a pretty good manager.Time shall tell.

But the team does not deserve to have to play in front of booing fans we have seen how it affected Chelsea and we were able to use that on Weds night.
The show must go on.

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lowe hater, cornwall says...
12:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese can do one !! Absolute disgrace iti to**er he needs to step down before he destroys our club the guy replacing a legend is a total joke am gutted for Nigel ;(

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aldermoorboy says...
12:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So upset for Nigel, he would have kept us up, the players were 100% behind him.
We have made a big mistake.
Good luck Nigel you will soon get another position you are a decent man who did a great job for us.

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mastershot100 says...
12:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The new manager Mauricio Pochettino knows nothing about being a Prem manager. Championship next season!!!!!

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gooner1711 says...
12:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13

BOYCOTT THE MONDAY NIGHT MATCH!!!!!

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Gridironprince says...
12:39pm Fri 18 Jan 13

From a Spurs fan living in Hampshire.
Nigel Adkins and Saints were making progress in the premiership. How can you sack a manager who's team are climbing the table. Crazy decision! I wish Nigel Adkins all the best for the future, what a great bloke!! Shame on you Cortese!!!

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Rocket 1 says...
12:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Jesus_02 wrote:
bluehants wrote:
WTF I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there . Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere
I hate to admitt it but I agree with you.

Saints where doing something special and htey have blown it now they have lost all the unity and are just an average Premiership club thats part of the managerial merry go round

I didnt really care if we got relegated before we where "togehter as one" and as long as the team made us proud I would stick by them.

I expect to lose a couple of key players as well this transfer window. Is Lallana, Lambert, Sniderlin and Shaw likely to feel as much loyalty to an average spanish manager?
with a name like Jesus you could have prevented this happening

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RedArmy1 says...
12:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY

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Upthesaints79 says...
12:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Strange decision,perhaps something to do with leaving Ramirez and Lambert on the bench against Chelsea as the final straw...who knows?

Can't help but think that there has to be something else to this, as to what I don't think we'll ever know for certain as when Pardew was relieved of his duties.
Let's just hope that we can hit the ground running with this new guy.
While disappointed, there is in reality nothing that we can do about it and IMO we just have to continue to support and push the team onwards and hopefully upwards. Up the saints!

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Mush On The Beach says...
12:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Football is like no other business.
There seems to be no sense to this decision from most fans perspective that is clear if we take the comments on here as a straw poll.

Thanks and good luck Nigel.
I for one am not finding it a funny old game at the moment.

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Baddesley Bill says...
12:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

First reaction....stunned :O(

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freemantlegirl2 says...
12:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese has really lost the plot now... an Argentinian who doesn't even speak English... the only thing I can think of is that it's financial!!

Adkins is our great loss and someone else's gain! :(

I really despair of this Club and the decisions it takes but this has to be one of the worst!

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olddellsaint says...
12:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ray the Don wrote:
Mauricio Pochettino who the f**k is he.

An Argey at the helm do they not hate the English!! over the Falklands.
What ever happens, the next time you go to St Marys, DON'T mention the war

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sarfhamton says...
12:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We must not boo on monday, look at Chelsea!

Mauricio Pochettino Red and White Army may not catch on tho.

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SaintJD says...
12:42pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Saints fans face a horrible dilemma over the next few days.

I've been quick to slag off Chelsea fans for creating a poisonous atmosphere at their ground and, basically, costing their team result after result after result in matches they should have won.

However, I do not believe that you can simply lay down when someone squeezes the very soul out of your beloved club.

There are some things that are more important than money or success, staying up or whatever and Saints fans do need to make that stand unfortunately.

The impact of this decision is a very lasting one. It means the departure of most of our best players, young and old, either now or at the end of the season, but most of all it is a betrayal of trust.

Thank you for everything Nigel. This marks the end of a wonderful era for the Saints and one where we, for a couple of years anyway, did the right thing, with good people and good ethics. I only wish it could have continued.

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BRIAN from bartley says...
12:42pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A supporter since 1945 and a Season Ticket holder for many years, I am stunned! Sorry but I can not make it on Monday. This really is disgraceful,. just look at the way Chelsea have got it wrong by actions of a trigger happy man at the top!. Lose the support of your paying customers (the Fans) and you will end up with no business!
It will be interesting to see the attendance on Monday. Thank you Nigel for what you have achieved, you don't deserve to be treated in this way! best of luck for the future.

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BRIAN from bartley says...
12:42pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A supporter since 1945 and a Season Ticket holder for many years, I am stunned! Sorry but I can not make it on Monday. This really is disgraceful,. just look at the way Chelsea have got it wrong by actions of a trigger happy man at the top!. Lose the support of your paying customers (the Fans) and you will end up with no business!
It will be interesting to see the attendance on Monday. Thank you Nigel for what you have achieved, you don't deserve to be treated in this way! best of luck for the future.

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BRIAN from bartley says...
12:42pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A supporter since 1945 and a Season Ticket holder for many years, I am stunned! Sorry but I can not make it on Monday. This really is disgraceful,. just look at the way Chelsea have got it wrong by actions of a trigger happy man at the top!. Lose the support of your paying customers (the Fans) and you will end up with no business!
It will be interesting to see the attendance on Monday. Thank you Nigel for what you have achieved, you don't deserve to be treated in this way! best of luck for the future.

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Cortese_out_of_our_club says...
12:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is an absolutely disgraceful decision.

Those players go out there every week and perform for Nigel because they believe in him as much as we all do. How can anyone else inspire them in the same way?

Le Tiss said it at the start of the season.

Best of luck to Nigel and thanks for absolutely everything you have done for our club.

Let's see what drama unfolds next...

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st.athan saint says...
12:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
sorry luv just shows why women shouldn't be allowed at football matches.we've played some of the best stuff i've seen us play under NA. got a horrible feeling where we're gonna end up this season now. Thanks for the memories nige. you left us displaying top 6 form the last 10 games so leave with head held VERY high.

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TomLockwoodd says...
12:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

InCortesewetrust wrote:
Good luck nige your a top bloke and good manager, WHO THE F*UCK IS PINOCHIO? NC you have just lost all respect from the fans, such a silly move, I can't believe it, pinochio better hit the ground running, I hope nige gets a good club soon, what dose pinochio bring to our table?
an interpretor as he cant speak English!!

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WinchesterBond says...
12:44pm Fri 18 Jan 13

On this crazy day this is the most craziest event of all. Southampton in the national news for the airport being closed and buses cancelled just as I am thinking things come in three's what will be next up comes the news of Nigel's incomprehensible sacking. Cortese's statement has echoes of the Dark Lord and the same measure of cluelessness. Why is it that so many Chairman get the idea that to "progress and achieve our long-term targets" that a foreign coach is essential? Nigel has proved his quality not just over 2+ seasons but also just earlier this week totally outsmarting a highly regarded manager, (albeit not by Chelsea fans!) with less resources at his disposal. Just as so many Saints fans start to see the strong green shoots of survival and Premier League achievement we lose a hugely talented, progressive and personable leader. Thank you so very much Nigel for all you have done, my very best wishes for the future, there are big things ahead for Nigel (and a real shame these are not with Saints) ...and if that is with England assisting Roy please convince him we need Rickie for the inevitable Quarter -Final penalty shoot-out. Nigel Adkins Saints Legend Forever.

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MiltonRoad says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Most disgraceful decision in the history of SFC. I, like many others here, and embarrased to be a Saints fan today. It is wrong on all levels. We would have stayed up under Adkins and could have reviwed the sitiuation at the end of the season. I will be very surprised if we stay up now. But this not just about success but unerstanding how to run a football club. NC clearly doesn't give a t*ss about the fans and that puts him in the same category as Rupert Lowe. I will not be there on Monday and will not renew my season ticket. Our football club has been hijacked.
Nigel - thanks for everything. You are a Saints legend!

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KingClaus says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am shocked.
Now I have had 30 minutes to reflect on it and my thoughts are:
Nigel have done a fantastic job for the club, Thank you Nigel!
This is a sign on how big ambitions NC has for the club and that is something we need to apriciate. Don`t forget the how things where a few years ago.
Yes we got 1 point against Chelsea, and we won 3 points against Villa but NC is thinking long term, and if he thinks that sacking Nigel is the best long term solution then I believe him.
He has not been wrong yet!

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malcher says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well, reading the official club statement,they don't know what day of the week it is! Everton game on December 21st !???
Wel I suppose that was supposed to be the end of the world!

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soton1980 says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is a disgrace! If we were bottom of the league then I could understand it, but we aren't and results were starting to improve.

Nigel will have no problem finding another job and will always be a legend in my opinion. I reckon we'll be seeing him back in the Premier division sooner rather than later, it's just sad that his journey with us has been cut short.

I've always had faith in Cortese, despite some seemingly odd decisions in the past, but this is really testing that faith. I'm really gutted, but hope Cortese proves us all wrong...

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saints4life says...
12:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A bad decision? Only time will but there was no reason to sack Adkins he had just started turning things around and i am now worried about the direction the club is heading.

Sacking managers all the time and bringing in a foreign manager who only has 3 years of experience in which he got sack because the team were bottom of the league.

Although i think it is completely the wrong decision, we as fans must stay in full support of our team and not boo the new manager and boycott games.... We aren't Chelsea and we don't want thinks to turn sour like it has down there.

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MGRA says...
12:46pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.

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InCortesewetrust says...
12:46pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Iv had a mone now, get behind pinochio he is now our manager, he might be a very good coach, its not his fault adkins was sacked, he probably has more knowledge of the pool of talent in Europe than nige, we might see some great additions to our team,

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loosehead says...
12:46pm Fri 18 Jan 13

sarfhamton wrote:
lambo83 wrote:
PTID1898 wrote:
Who the f**k is laughing now
That would be us.

How's your League 1 relegation battle and court case going?

Silly skate tit.
We are mate, we may be gutted for Adkins but we now have one of the most promising managers in football.

It may be cold in Soton but it will be -10 in Pompey soon
Swindon heading for admin. Do you think they'll be happy if they get hit with a worse penalty than Pompey as they did before?
Adkins knew in the Championship our defence had to be strengthened & he/we didn't do it?
I don't know how it worked between Adkins & Cortese but if Adkins pointed out the players he wanted & Cortese got them then I can see exactly where Cortese's coming from but I do hope this guy has been on hold & has been watching us to see exactly where he needs to strengthen & not just come here with out a clue about the team

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sburman says...
12:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Professional Football - Full of Players and managers I have never heard of with names I cannot pronounce. There will always be a space for you all at The Silverlake Stadium

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Saint Joe says...
12:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

All the best Nigel, sorry to see you go, you will be better off working for a decent chairman,than this NASTY GIT.!!! What it wants is everybody to boycott Mondays game and all watch the game on TV, lets have a bit of Fan Power and show this chairman we are not happy with the Italian Mafia way of doing things
Just think a nearly empty ground with Sky TV there , would make a good talking point for TV, Hey........this is a sad day for SFC

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saintmicky says...
12:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

sarfhamton wrote:
We must not boo on monday, look at Chelsea!

Mauricio Pochettino Red and White Army may not catch on tho.
This is true, no booing! Plenty of
'THERES ONLY ONE NIGEL ADKINS' is in order though!

STID

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wotsupdoc says...
12:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Bournemouth based Pompey fan here (in peace) What a mad & stupid decision !! Thought you guys would be fine this season & easily stay up, esp with recent results, but now ? mmmm? I'd be very worried. This will surely upset the players so it will be interesting to see their reaction.

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hedgeenddan says...
12:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Don't agree with the decision at all but we must still get behind this new guy as at then end of the day it's not his fault cortese sacked Adkins, and hey let's not forget this was the same sort of reaction we had after pardew was sacked and look what happened after that

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TheSaintsMan says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I want to cry. I am embarrassed to be a fan of Southampton. Cortese is a disgrace and I hope he crashes his car in the snow.

Long live Nigel Adkins, he is one of the greatest managers we have ever had. I hope his endeavours are successful in whatever he does.

Who is this new manager? I have never heard of him and what has he done that his made him successful?

This is a disgrace.

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TheFatLadySings says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Unbelievable! Bring back Lord Lowe and Wiggers!

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RedArmy1 says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

sarfhamton wrote:
We must not boo on monday, look at Chelsea!

Mauricio Pochettino Red and White Army may not catch on tho.
FORGET ...

chanting about the Manager for NOW !!

LET'S GET BEHIND THE TEAM AND WIN.....

and don't forget a couple of beers before the next home game.

RED ARMY 2013,

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upwherewebelong says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

St Retford wrote:
HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*
superb attempt at being controversial - i'm not going to bite and criticise you. Instead i'm just going to add an attempt at a balanced review of NA.

He was immensely succesfull in taking us from the depths of League 1 to the Prem quicker than I'd ever hoped.

He focused on bringing through young players which was brilliant however, He was in my opinion rubbish at transfers as he was not focused enough on bringing in the right players in positions where strength in depth was required.

Cortese is a muppet for sacking NA and in my opinion if this backfires we ALL NEED TO UNITE and drive him out of the club.

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mitch76 says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese is a complete ****!!! he obviously knows very little about football. now we have a bloke in charge no one has heard of but he's just been sacked because his teal were bottom of the league. I cant believe Adkins has been sacked he was the best manager Saints had in a long time.
Cortese what a Cu*t

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Ross123 says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

yep this is a joke! nigel will be a saint forever,

but if this new guy gets us on a winning run and also drops guly! lol

then happy days!

however if we start a losing run then cortese need shooting!

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mustard says...
12:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

it's done ! get behind the new guy and support the saints. Don't do what the Chelsa fans have done and make St Marys a fortress for the away team.....

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On The Bus says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely gobsmacked. Hasn't sunk in yet. All the best to Nigel. You wont be out of work long, 'your stock is high'.

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Saint Joe says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

All the best Nigel, sorry to see you go, you will be better off working for a decent chairman,than this NASTY GIT.!!! What it wants is everybody to boycott Mondays game and all watch the game on TV, lets have a bit of Fan Power and show this chairman we are not happy with the Italian Mafia way of doing things
Just think a nearly empty ground with Sky TV there , would make a good talking point for TV, Hey........this is a sad day for SFC

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Barcelona Saint says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a joke! Corleone just has to be in the spotlight doesn't he after a while?
Idiot.
Pochettino is an unproven manager who has done nothing. He did nothing with lowly Espanyol, winning less than a 3rd of their games.
Can't believe it's happening again, and in the most important year!

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SFC1976 says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Jesus Christ what is going on lost 2 in 12 what more can the manager do for his first year in the Prem. Been watching the Saints for 30 years now and I can Honestly say this is the first time I really do not want to go to the game on Monday I am gutted. If we are not careful we will end up in the same state Chelsea are in at the moment Cortese is mental I have a feeling he maybe losing the plot. For the first time in 10 years the club was heading in the right direction good manager the team was improving every week the fans were behind the manager and the team. I love Southampton Football Club with all Heart but yet again we bring shame on ourselves. One word. Stunned.

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Nigellites says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Not looking forward to my trip to Manchester United now. I hope this guy proves he is worth the upset this will cause amongst the fans. We could have a Rafa Benitez situation here.

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InCortesewetrust says...
12:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
Pardew was trying to insert his penis into the players wife's vaginas, true story,

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lowe hater, cornwall says...
12:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision

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Radiochicken says...
12:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Not made comments on this forum before
But have to say Nigel has been a breath of fresh air to our club and I am stunned at this decision . He will be snapped up by some very lucky Club .Supported this club since the Terry Paine days , unfortunately we are now going to have to move on , onwards and upwards Nigel, will always look out for your progress .

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Radiochicken says...
12:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Not made comments on this forum before
But have to say Nigel has been a breath of fresh air to our club and I am stunned at this decision . He will be snapped up by some very lucky Club .Supported this club since the Terry Paine days , unfortunately we are now going to have to move on , onwards and upwards Nigel, will always look out for your progress .

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Radiochicken says...
12:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Not made comments on this forum before
But have to say Nigel has been a breath of fresh air to our club and I am stunned at this decision . He will be snapped up by some very lucky Club .Supported this club since the Terry Paine days , unfortunately we are now going to have to move on , onwards and upwards Nigel, will always look out for your progress .

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Harold K Steptoe says...
12:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sacked by Espanyol after poor results, top man then. Sounds more of a yes man and will work with the players NC picks. Hope Nigel goes on to bigger and better things and makes NC regret this.

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Nigellites says...
12:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Shame on you Mr Cortese.

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Oliver Saints Fans says...
12:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Totally gutted and shocked, what more does a manager have to do, 2 back to back promotions 15th in the league. Shameful day for Southampton FC. I wish Nigel all the best for his future. You will certainly be missed by many if not all Saints Fans!

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loadcee says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

No Decency left in football . A new manager out of work since November for bad results with Barcelona's other team. Staggering decision , Adkins was the best Saints manager since Strachan and i thank him for the great days of the last 2 seasons . Not feeling confident about Saints future can see some rocky roads ahead unfortunately.

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upwherewebelong says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Little Hitler wrote:
Very very regrettable, thank you Nigel for everything you've done for Southampton FC.

BUT, there's clearly a plan to move on to bigger things and the Chairman wants a higher profile manager who can attract the best players in Europe.

It's not right, it's not fair but the best analogy is the 'Saints players for England' thing, they just get picked. Cortese is trying to kick us on to the next level and we have to support him.

No Chelsea type histrionics please, that will do no good for anyone other than our rivals.

All the very best Nigel, a true Saints legend!
BUT surely Pochettino is not higher profile. I'd never heard of him before today. The more I think about it the more I think Cortese is trying to screw the club and undo all the progress made. Don't yet know why he would make this decision but what I am certain about is Cortese is a first class idiot and clueless about the sentiments of Saints fans. Hopefully he will leave Saints very soon.

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highanxiety says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

It reminds me of when Alan Pardew was sacked and we got lumbered with Nigel Adkins. Cortese got it right then. I prey he has done the right thing now. God bless Pardew and Adkins. Moaning aint gonna change a thing....

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loadcee says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

No Decency left in football . A new manager out of work since November for bad results with Barcelona's other team. Staggering decision , Adkins was the best Saints manager since Strachan and i thank him for the great days of the last 2 seasons . Not feeling confident about Saints future can see some rocky roads ahead unfortunately.

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RingSaint says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
If Nicole23 isn't a skate I will eat my hat

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lambo83 says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The more I think about it, the more I read about the new guy, the more I feel Cortese has hit the self destruct button.

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Ageing exile says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is my first post on the website- which I guess shows how disgusted I am by this decision.
This MUST have been on the cards long before our recent brilliant run of results - but WHY???
I moved away from Southampton over 30 years ago, but I'll never stop supporting the Saints.
We always had the reputation for being a decent principled team. What the **** has gone wrong with us?

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Nigellites says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigel, I will follow your career with interest. I know you will do well, we will miss you that is for sure.

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burtonoracle says...
12:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese says re the Argintinian's bringing on home grown players 'This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”

What at Espanyol - mid tableish in La Liga? So waht experience and what expertise?

Previous reference to Cortese being a little **** was actually an understatement. Incidentally this episode remainds me of my experiences with the Cortese's of this world - never ever trust a banker to behave decently, especially a Swiss one.

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oldsaintsfan says...
12:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Very best of luck to you NA . You have achieved great thinks in a short time for Saints. For what its worth –THANK YOU from an old fan (I watched my first game at the Dell in the 60’s) and in my view you will be remembered as one of our better managers (and the list in my time is not too long). I am sure you will not be out of work for long.

Like the majority of posters on this site I am amazed at this decision. It is obviously difficult to judge exactly what has gone on within the club (bearing in mind little information ever seems forthcoming) but on the face of it I would suggest that it is maybe driven by the managements own personal financial agenda. I spent 30 years in investment banking so I can quite imagine the thinking.

I have been a Saints supporter for 50 years and this is one of the most disappointing decisions I have seen the club make.

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CherrySi says...
12:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cherries fan in peace.....I hate football sometimes. Gutted for NA and Saints fans, both deserved much better. Hope you all make your feelings known, as this has got disaster written all over it. Totally sick of most boards undermining their clubs and taking their supporters for granted. Good luck for the rest of the season.

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saintsthrough&through says...
12:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a dreadful decision. I am speechless. How dare a decision like this be made. No no no no no.

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mickey01 says...
12:54pm Fri 18 Jan 13

i must admit some of niges team selections were a bit hard to understand but this smacks of another club where the manager will be just a puppet or the chairman (chelsea)

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jaygleis says...
12:54pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely gutted Adkins has gone, he did a great job and my best goes out to him.

However, it is not Pochettino's fault this has happened and so we need to get right behind him, like we did Nigel, and behind the team to make sure we stay in this great league.....lets not Judge him before we have kicked a ball!

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Nigellites says...
12:54pm Fri 18 Jan 13

RingSaint wrote:
Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
If Nicole23 isn't a skate I will eat my hat
Are you a Portsmouth fan?

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thomasupton says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

TheFatLadySings wrote:
Unbelievable! Bring back Lord Lowe and Wiggers!
Don't think wiggers will be back but could see Widley making an appearance lol

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PompeyinBelgium says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well that's terrific news for Pompey fans. Looks like there'll be double relegation for south coast teams now;-)

Terrific odds on relegation from the Premiership at 7/4. Get your money on now!

So Cortese is a Pompey fan after all;-)

LOL

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ottostrasser says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigels done a great job for us but I think he is out of his depth in the Premier League. Despite all the whinging on here how many times have you been to a match and thought what the hells Adkins doing that for?
Although I wonder how many of the bed wetters on here go to games ? The reaction on here is like a form of mob mass hysteria.
I love the way Cortese doesnt give a whatsit about what the fans think and is brave enough to make an intelligent decision that will take the club to another level. Onwards and upwards.

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george chivers says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

St Retford wrote:
HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*
How can you defend Cortese? If he had done it when we bottom of the league, then o.k. it is justifiable. But now when we have an upturn in results. Total nonsense!.

I won't be taking a deep breath and pausing, I will be shouting Nigel Adkins name. It will be character building for the new guy. Let him know what he has to follow.

Are you a secret PR man for Cortese?

Or just anal. Crazy post.

In Nicola we trust! I never have and never will trust him.

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tomw1234 says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
**** Cortese and **** the new manager! We have the right to be annoyed and have the right to stand up for our clubs values! Cortese is a TOSSER!!!!

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pgc says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thought that once we got that clown Rupert out the door things just cant be that bad again. How wrong can you be ? We go from one chairman always talking a load of b###ocks to another performing a load of bo###cks ! Perhaps when he heard the Chelsea fans booing their own manager the other night he thought that was the way to go because thats what the fans are going to do on Monday night. Good luck at Blackpool Nigel, you deserve much better than this.

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PompeyinBelgium says...
12:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well that's terrific news for Pompey fans. Looks like there'll be double relegation for south coast teams now;-)

Terrific odds on relegation from the Premiership at 7/4. Get your money on now!

So Cortese is a Pompey fan after all;-)

LOL

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randre says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I really hope Nigel reads some of these comments and I hope he realises how much most of the true Saints fans appreciated him. Nigel, you will always be a Saint to us.. Good luck sir.

If the club read this, I hope you realise what a pathetic decision this is. You have lost many fans today, the togetherness is slipping and this is down to you. I hope this pays off, because if Saints start slipping up now it will be a disaster.

I will always be a Saints supporter but I fear this could be a massive step back, I feel a big part of our club has been lost today. I hope I am wrong, but we have lost a manager who was loved by the fans, I am unsure how I feel about this club at this moment in time.

I am very angry about this and I don't think our atmosphere will be the same now. Cortese, you have messed up big time.

In Nigel we respect, thank and love.

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ukfazerman says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

been a saints supporter since 73. this is madness. thats me done, i'm gone.

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three halves says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

How things can change in a couple of days you couldent make it up.

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Sainty saint saint says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

"I've got an idea. Let's sack a great, young, up and coming English manager whose not doing too badly, and bring in a failing, non-English speaking, average Joe that was sacked by his last club for poor results instead - how can we fail?!"

Would love to have been in THAT board meeting.

Cortese, you couldn't be more wrong with this decision. You simply do not understand what football should be.

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Nigellites says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

upwherewebelong wrote:
Little Hitler wrote:
Very very regrettable, thank you Nigel for everything you've done for Southampton FC.

BUT, there's clearly a plan to move on to bigger things and the Chairman wants a higher profile manager who can attract the best players in Europe.

It's not right, it's not fair but the best analogy is the 'Saints players for England' thing, they just get picked. Cortese is trying to kick us on to the next level and we have to support him.

No Chelsea type histrionics please, that will do no good for anyone other than our rivals.

All the very best Nigel, a true Saints legend!
BUT surely Pochettino is not higher profile. I'd never heard of him before today. The more I think about it the more I think Cortese is trying to screw the club and undo all the progress made. Don't yet know why he would make this decision but what I am certain about is Cortese is a first class idiot and clueless about the sentiments of Saints fans. Hopefully he will leave Saints very soon.
Hear hear, higher profile my a***

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MGRA says...
12:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

InCortesewetrust wrote:
MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
Pardew was trying to insert his penis into the players wife's vaginas, true story,
total and utter BS, I even know the person who started the rumour. There is not shred of truth about that and it was spread from the club to hide the real reason he was sacked.

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slapheadphil says...
12:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I like many was stunned when I heard this. No, Nigel wasn't perfect, we all make mistakes. But he was learning pretty fast. The football we have played recently has been high quality.He also clearly had the team motivated and playing for him. Like many others I fail to see how the person they are replacing him with is any better and he may well be much worse. A bit of a pig in a poke in my opinion.

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AmsterdamSaint says...
12:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I have had so much fun as a Saints fan over the last 3 years, I can not believe this. Nigel Atkins brought joy, respect and class back to St. Mary's. This is a BIG mistake. Back to mediocrity. Sad.

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Nigellites says...
12:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

ukfazerman wrote:
been a saints supporter since 73. this is madness. thats me done, i'm gone.
Don't go we need people like you to have a voice.

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sk8srsinking says...
12:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely disgusted by this decision am seriously considering returning my season ticket. When we got relegated last time under the dark lord it was mainly due to keep changing manager. Thank you Nigel for some of the best years as a saiints fan. "One Nigel Adkins theres only one Nigel Adkins"

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upwherewebelong says...
12:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

devonsaint2 wrote:
The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad
oh dear oh dear devon if this is REALLY the worst moment supporting saints in 48 years I wonder where you were when we went down from the Premier League, or when we went into administration OR when we subsequently got relegated to league 1. Yes Adkins going is mind boggling and unfathomable but worst moment of being a Saints fan I think is an exageration

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Ronnie Ekelund remembered says...
12:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What has happened to our club previously respected across the country for loyalty, family, integrity and a strong sense of community? Now no better than Chelsea.
After the recent run I feel totally deflated.

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batesieboy says...
1:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

thomasupton wrote:
Liebherr family if you truly love this club please sack Cortese now
They don't. They won't. It's important we all act like adults (except the kids) and these things happen in high stakes, results-driven businesses. We are not doing ourselves any favours with immature, over-emotional reactions. We need to stay on the bus, and hope that a change of seats will do us good. That is what Nigel Adkins would say, too.The destination, and the way to get there, remains the same.

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Paul TS says...
1:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Nothing compared to your problems mate!

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St Forlife says...
1:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

st.athan saint wrote:
Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
sorry luv just shows why women shouldn't be allowed at football matches.we've played some of the best stuff i've seen us play under NA. got a horrible feeling where we're gonna end up this season now. Thanks for the memories nige. you left us displaying top 6 form the last 10 games so leave with head held VERY high.
Eat your hat and soon. What do people want - Top 4 place in Prem 3 years after being bottom of League 1?

I pay my moneyt to see our team pass a ball and keep possession - probing defences and not shoving it up to the big man and missing out the midfield. Nigel did just that and played with style and above all Positivism - always getting 3,4 or 5 players in the box looking for goals.

It took Fergy a few years to get going at Man U - sorry if we are in the age of instant success. Some club - in the prem - is going to be very fortunate

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Nigellites says...
1:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Fed up fed up fed up.

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loosehead says...
1:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigellites wrote:
RingSaint wrote:
Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
If Nicole23 isn't a skate I will eat my hat
Are you a Portsmouth fan?
So not all saints fans believed Adkins was the right man to steer us to safety in the Premiership.
Does this make them all Pompey Fans?
Yes he got us back to back promotions yet we all know even last season our defence was not up to it.
the players bought in wasn't either enough or just weren't up to the task.
You can only support some one for past glories for so long.
I was saying before Christmas give it until the January transfer window & see if he ( Adkins) is still here well he isn't & sorry but many True Good Saints fans have been saying he would go that does not make us Pompey fans

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saintsupnorth says...
1:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The players are gonna be fuming, considering the amount of stability there was. We now have a manger who will probably dump half the saints squad including Rickie, Punch, Spider and Cork. Prem was good while it lasted, and do not think it will be long before NA is named as manager of another club. Remirez was at the ground doing ' media ' work yesterday, wonder if this is the real reason he was there. To help translate everything to the new manager.

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Nigellites says...
1:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

St Forlife wrote:
st.athan saint wrote:
Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
sorry luv just shows why women shouldn't be allowed at football matches.we've played some of the best stuff i've seen us play under NA. got a horrible feeling where we're gonna end up this season now. Thanks for the memories nige. you left us displaying top 6 form the last 10 games so leave with head held VERY high.
Eat your hat and soon. What do people want - Top 4 place in Prem 3 years after being bottom of League 1?

I pay my moneyt to see our team pass a ball and keep possession - probing defences and not shoving it up to the big man and missing out the midfield. Nigel did just that and played with style and above all Positivism - always getting 3,4 or 5 players in the box looking for goals.

It took Fergy a few years to get going at Man U - sorry if we are in the age of instant success. Some club - in the prem - is going to be very fortunate
Yes Nicole I am a lady season ticket holder what are you saying!!!!!

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shamrockstar says...
1:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

red stripe wrote:
mushrooms wrote:
gutted
Nig did start a bit shakey and may be a bit nieve at first but he is learning the same as the team. Saints have belife and a strong togertherness which would have bonded our premiership status. How will the players feel now its suicide! He is nothing but an Italian Banker!
Have Saints lost the plot? To replace an excellent young 'British' manager with an Argentinian previously sacked by a Spanish club for apparent poor results, beggars belief, This is crazy.

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saints4life says...
1:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am worried how we as fans are going to react to Cortese now, if we try and force him out and he leaves will the Liebherr pull their money and sell up?

Please don't let this happen Markus would turn in his grave if he saw the club sold because we forced Cortese out...... Food for thought

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George4th says...
1:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Take the emotion away before posting your comments!

Cortese rescued the club and has got every major decision right so far. This new appointment is progress and the next step in establishing Saints in the Premiership.

(Yes, I feel sorry for Adkins but that's the way life/business/footba
ll works)

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saints4life says...
1:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I am worried how we as fans are going to react to Cortese now, if we try and force him out and he leaves will the Liebherr pull their money and sell up?

Please don't let this happen Markus would turn in his grave if he saw the club sold because we forced Cortese out...... Food for thought

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JohnItaly says...
1:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigellites wrote:
Nigel, I will follow your career with interest. I know you will do well, we will miss you that is for sure.
I for one will be keep an eye open for the result of which ever club he goes to. Surely will not be out of work for long -how about Blackpool?

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SaintyD says...
1:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Disgraceful, Im totally gutted. We've just lost that good together feeling, which is on the bus with Nigel disapearing down the road.

No wonder this country cant produce a decent English manager FFS

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St Forlife says...
1:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sainty saint saint wrote:
"I've got an idea. Let's sack a great, young, up and coming English manager whose not doing too badly, and bring in a failing, non-English speaking, average Joe that was sacked by his last club for poor results instead - how can we fail?!"

Would love to have been in THAT board meeting.

Cortese, you couldn't be more wrong with this decision. You simply do not understand what football should be.
Here Here

Report this post »

St Forlife says...
1:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Sainty saint saint wrote:
"I've got an idea. Let's sack a great, young, up and coming English manager whose not doing too badly, and bring in a failing, non-English speaking, average Joe that was sacked by his last club for poor results instead - how can we fail?!"

Would love to have been in THAT board meeting.

Cortese, you couldn't be more wrong with this decision. You simply do not understand what football should be.
Here Here

Report this post »

Nigellites says...
1:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

MGRA wrote:
InCortesewetrust wrote:
MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
Pardew was trying to insert his penis into the players wife's vaginas, true story,
total and utter BS, I even know the person who started the rumour. There is not shred of truth about that and it was spread from the club to hide the real reason he was sacked.
I think it was rubbish about Pardew and women can always say no if they are not interested what age do you think we live in.

Report this post »

SirMatt's11 says...
1:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A poorly timed decision. NA struggled in the first half of this season as he was learning the ropes in the Prem. Now he has some experience he is making better plays, I was at CFC on Wednesday and his tactics were bang on. Now we have a new manager with no Prem experience to bed in with a point needed from every game and an emergecy defensive set up. I would have understood the decision before the start of the season, I would not have liked it but understood it. Please do not let us become negative as they are at Stamford bridge, they are the 12th man for the visitors, don't think we would have got a point without them. If you wnat to protest do so after the game with the players off the pitch.

Report this post »

mberry77 says...
1:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Un-bloody-believable
. Two promotions in a row, outside relegation and sacked.

Report this post »

Rednick says...
1:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well, it appears that C*ntese went to the same school as Lowe!! Absolutely gutted but not surprised. No wonder The team choices have been odd lately - now tell me the Italian idiot didn't have a say so!!

We have now got to hope that the players pull together and keep the momentum going bit with a foreign manager that can't speak English........! Good luck to all the Saints players and I hope you all stay.

Finally, good luck to you Nigel Adkins, as far as I'm concerned, you've done us proud. I wish you all the best and good luck.

Report this post »

OfficialSpudUk says...
1:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I don't post on here very often, but I check it out at least twice a day. As a long distance Saints fan, I am shocked at the decision, but I wouldn't say suprised.

Things haven't gone perfectly for Adkins, though the recent turn around has been amazing. I think we may have also found it harder to attract high quality players due to Adkins' low profile overseas. I also fear Adkins would have struggled to take us any further up the table then 10th, and Europe has been the long-term goal for a while.

It was a now or never, however, as any new manager would need time in the transfer window to turn things around. NC has never let us down before, and though I do thing this decision is slight on the mad side (at least wait until the end of the season), I am more then prepared to give Pochettino a chance. It's not his fault afterall.

When all is said and down, Nigel Adkins is a Southampton legend, and will be missed, regardless of what happens!

Report this post »

LoyalSaint says...
1:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Words fail me!!! dazed, angry, hurt and disgusted at the moment!!!!

Report this post »

saintsteves says...
1:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

TadanariLee wrote:
This is ridiculous. Feel genuinely sick and upset for Nige. There must be something behind this, as it can't be purely based on results.

Thank you Nigel - you're a legend.
Why call yourself TadanariLee ?
A bit unfair to the player.

Anyway as shocking as it is to saints fans, it's good to see so many fans from other clubs sharing their shock and disbelief at the decision. Including Leeds,Bradford and Pompey fans find it unbelievable.

Report this post »

batesieboy says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Epsom Saint wrote:
Gutted, but it's important we all get behind the team and the new manager. I'm not happy, but we've got to move on and get a result on Monday.
The voice of sanity in all this emotion. Again, let's wait till the end of the season, sit back, reflect on where we are, then comment.

Report this post »

Nigellites says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

George4th wrote:
Take the emotion away before posting your comments!

Cortese rescued the club and has got every major decision right so far. This new appointment is progress and the next step in establishing Saints in the Premiership.

(Yes, I feel sorry for Adkins but that's the way life/business/footba

ll works)
Emotion, you cold fish. Football is a game of emotion and passion. You need to get yourself revved up a bit.

Report this post »

NewForestSaint says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Little Hitler wrote:
Very very regrettable, thank you Nigel for everything you've done for Southampton FC. BUT, there's clearly a plan to move on to bigger things and the Chairman wants a higher profile manager who can attract the best players in Europe. It's not right, it's not fair but the best analogy is the 'Saints players for England' thing, they just get picked. Cortese is trying to kick us on to the next level and we have to support him. No Chelsea type histrionics please, that will do no good for anyone other than our rivals. All the very best Nigel, a true Saints legend!
There may be a plan but you need to be in the premier league to put it in place - to say the chairman wants a higher profile manager is a joke - have you honestly heard of this man - apparently he cannot speak English - Cortese is trying to kick Saints to the next level - its called the Championship - understand your limitations work to them and then improve on them - the premier league is riddled with clubs trying to chase the impossible dream and you are the type of person who is drawn in by this type of management and to say no Chelsea type histrionics? In one easy action Cortese has gifted points to all those clubs around us - brainless - should hav ebeen done either earlier in the season when Saints were wobbling or at the end of the season when we had stayed up - tell me just what business experience has Mr Cortese?

Report this post »

Red n White says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I blame Les Reed - I have a feeling he's the man in charge of the footballing decisions and I wouldn't be surprised to see him manager of us at some point

Report this post »

ukfazerman says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

what doe's this man know about english football and players (nowt). been saints fan since 73, season ticket and all. this is madness and think thats me done.

Report this post »

florida saint says...
1:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

you nasty piece of sh1t cortese, i am ashamed of you being at our club, dont you get it stability has got us back to the prem,we tried the fancy dan managers and it got us relegated, this is the worst decision ever from our chaiman, i feel sick from the pit of my stomach today, you have just ruined everything we have achieved in the last 4 years, im gutted, mr cortese you need a good look at yourself today if your honest you wont like what you see.you have just ruined our great club, im going to sign off now before i say something more serious, u t s

Report this post »

NorthernMonkee says...
1:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I feel sick
Why have you done this Cortese?
We finally get some stability with an honest, hardworking and committed Manager whose record must be up there with what he's achieved in the last 28 months.
Why oh why, Silly man Cortese!

Report this post »

Pogle says...
1:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Brusher Mills wrote:
Thanks Nigel for everything. This is a shock, but we support Saints and must now support the new manager. The Chairman has a plan, let hope it works.

What's done is done, it can't be changed time to move on.
Dont think so, way I feel now I shall shift alliegance to wherever Nige goes! at least the man had integrity cannot say the same about cortese!

Report this post »

Benali76 says...
1:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Ridiculous. I am gutted. All the young players who will one day play for England will be off. Cortese you have lost the plot. Oh well 3 great years and back to being a laughing stock.

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TheFatLadySings says...
1:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

thomasupton wrote:
TheFatLadySings wrote:
Unbelievable! Bring back Lord Lowe and Wiggers!
Don't think wiggers will be back but could see Widley making an appearance lol
I happen to know a very successful club in the local vicinity who just happen to need a proven League Two manager!

Report this post »

up saints says...
1:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

i bet seabourne is glad he got out to bournmouth.will lambo ramirez shaw and punch still be here end of jan

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saintsteves says...
1:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

PTID1898 wrote:
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Maybe funny to you but I'd enjoy ur life as if you really are Pompey till u die.... The end is nigh mush !

Rather lose a manager than a whole club lol what a knob :-)

Anyway as shocking as it is to saints fans, it's good to see so many fans from other clubs sharing their shock and disbelief at the decision. Including Leeds,Bradford and Pompey fans find it unbelievable.

Report this post »

Thornhill Saint says...
1:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
Probably the worst idea to come out yet. Do you have any new backers?

It's upsetting but football is ruthless.

Report this post »

northernsaint70 says...
1:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Today I am ashamed to be a supporter of Southampton Football Club!!!!

To sack Nigel Atkins now is an absolute disgrace!!!

I admit I had doubts after the first few games of the season but Nigel has slowly but surely steered us towards safety. We still had a tough road ahead of us but to sack him now after Wednesday's result is a disgrace.

From League One to Premiership in two years is a fantastic job

Good luck for the future Nigel and Cortese hang your head in shame you are embarrassing!!!!

If we end up in the Championship we will know where the blame lies!!!!

Sad Day!!!!

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willygetaway says...
1:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

OK Guys i,ve taken it in and huffed and puffed.
i,m am DISGUSTED with what Saints have done, But its done.
i thought to myself how can i show my disgust boycott a few matches or more ?
then the Other question popped into my mind
has Cortese made a really bad decision as far as management is concerned.?
how did you feel when Pardew was sacked ?
at the time of the sacking who would you have had to take saints forward
Pardew or Atkins?
now Nigel has been sacked for Pochettino do we act like chelski ?

i dont want to be like Chelsea and Boo its negative, and feeds through to the team. Today Saints LOST the moral high ground, and i dont like it

Report this post »

Saintsteve7 says...
1:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

St Retford wrote:
HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*
Thanks! I needed that moment of clarity.
This could be genius or total suicide, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. One thing is for sure, this will give our rivals a big boost.

Report this post »

saintsupnorth says...
1:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Even Pompey fans are puzzled, that's how stupid this situation is. When your closest rivals agree with what your saying!.

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hopkins-SFC says...
1:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

'Drop the oars, step off the bus, Taxi for Nige, in Pochettino we Trust!'

Let's remember that despite whether it may be the morally wrong decision, we are here to support a team, most are fickle and if Pochettino attracts big names and brings in results most will be eager to forget, just like the Pardew situation, which did turn out to be for the best!

Though a large portion of fans are quick to slate Gully, so I'm sure a slect few of those haters will be fickle enough to give Pochettino the backing if he drops him.

Simply wish Adkins luck, he will be missed but remember who and why you come to support the Saints!

Report this post »

upwherewebelong says...
1:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thornhill Saint wrote:
lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
Probably the worst idea to come out yet. Do you have any new backers?

It's upsetting but football is ruthless.
Thornhill you are misrepresenting the facts in my opinion

Liebherrs are the financial backers - Cortese is JUST a chairman who convinced the Liebherrs to invest, how much of his own money has HE invested if any ??

Report this post »

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I seem to remember a similar reaction when Pardew was sacked, but not quite as vitriolic, but luckily enough, that was a good decision, as it showed in the end. I hate it, but nothing I can do about it, boycotts won't help, we have to show that we are better than that, if we want success, this guy will have to have our backing, he didn't ask for NAs demise and must be given a fair crack of the whip. By all means make sure that Nicola knows that he has upset you, it should be emphasised that this is not how we expect things to happen, it ain't Saintly.

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Optimist says...
1:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Same type of thing as with Pardew, no hint of what is going to happen then BANG right in the back of the head.
Very cold.
That said none of us know what really goes on other than rumours & if they are to be believed then the relationship between the 2 has been getting worse for some time now.
"You'll have to tell me" was the worrying reply from Adkins when asked if Forren was due to be signed soon. We know that Cortese prefers the european style of player signings.
Goodbye Nigel, we really love you we do. And we are all sure that you will be a success wherever you go.

I get a spidysense that we are aiming at a Deportivo style (when they were good), bring in great south americans that have faltered in europe & get them to play under a south american manager in a south american style. Bring through the youngsters with the same style.

I expect almost all of the coaches to go other than Dodd too, sad really as we have been greatly improved of late.

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St Forlife says...
1:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

**** - this has ruined my weekend! I just feel so **** angry.

I hope Nigel finds time to look on this site - I doubt if he will but the strength of feeling is so overwhelming in his favour. I just hope he does not feel too down - being the man he is I know he will take stock, shrug his broad shoulders and move on?


Good luck fella

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scorpioeyes says...
1:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

the new guy was a centre back,so he should appreciate our need for strengthening ! Some of NAs tactics were very questionable and regularly leaving RL on the bench was crazy. I think this is a good decision,but would have preferred Strachan back.

Report this post »

milton road says...
1:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Just been on the Guardian site already over 220 comments from fans all over the country. The message from wigan villa and norwich fans is simple all think they will now stay up and we will go down. Messages from fans of clubs from all over the country is
THIS IS LUNACY.
It seems NA is rated across the width and breadth of the land. In fact by everyone other than Cortese.

Report this post »

tomw1234 says...
1:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

CORTESE OUT!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

Melksham_Saint says...
1:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Doesn’t surprise me, just sums up how bad things generally are in football today. Absolutely disgusting how Nigel has been treated, he has been the best manager we have had for years. Man Utd were one game away from sacking Alex Ferguson years ago, they stuck by him and now look at them.

Pochettino does come with some good references, lets hope he can do it for us. My worry is a foreign manager and chairman will bring an influx of second rate foreign players disrupting the current team. We had turned the corner with goal difference now only -10 and winning and drawing games. What else did Nigel need to do.

Good luck for the future Nige! Best Wishes

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Gridironprince says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Radiochicken wrote:
Not made comments on this forum before
But have to say Nigel has been a breath of fresh air to our club and I am stunned at this decision . He will be snapped up by some very lucky Club .Supported this club since the Terry Paine days , unfortunately we are now going to have to move on , onwards and upwards Nigel, will always look out for your progress .
Your comments were so good that they printed them three times!!!

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Lone Ranger. says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Just like all Chairmen Corteses gets to paid to make decisions ..... {albeit some unpopular} and get results on and off the park.
.
I can't believe this was an easy decision for him .. but he has made it ...... and he would know how unpopular he would be by making it as NA is so liked.
.
I am sure that all of his decisions are in the interests, and well being, of SFC and so far i dont know of many of his decisions that have been wrong.
.
As regards the comments of .. "boycot the next game" .... "never go to St M again" ...... what the hell good will that do.
.
Show support for NA at the Everton game if you want ............ But i bet as soon as we win a few games .. as we will ...... you will soon be able to accept the decision made.
.
Onwards and Upwards

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Bpl333 says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese buys the players not Adkins

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shirley-bill says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

any saints fan will back the manager , the club is bigger than any one man. lets see how the new boss does , and lets see which new players he brings in. But NA is and will always be a top bloke.

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NewForestStu says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I really think we would have been safe with Nigel at the helm......now i really worry about our PL survival. What message does this send out to the team and our rivals....utter madness and disgraceful way to treat Nigel. Still, all those negative Adkins out brigade have their wishes, just hope they remember this in a few months time.

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chapelsaint says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is a very sad day for The Saints family--seeing the Godfather killing off one of the most sucessful and likeable managers that I in my 50+ years of support have known. As a person Nigel was a real nice guy and as a manager he was quickly learning his trade in the Premier League after excelling in the Football League. Cortese on the other hand can only be despised-from this action right down to the penny pinching attitude of making you pay to park if the queue at the box office stretches to more than a few minutes! All the very best Nigel, you are going to be sorely missed.

Report this post »

Thornhill Saint says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

upwherewebelong wrote:
Thornhill Saint wrote:
lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
Probably the worst idea to come out yet. Do you have any new backers?

It's upsetting but football is ruthless.
Thornhill you are misrepresenting the facts in my opinion

Liebherrs are the financial backers - Cortese is JUST a chairman who convinced the Liebherrs to invest, how much of his own money has HE invested if any ??
He persuaded the Liebherrs to invest and they have kept with him even after Marcus died. He represents Katharina in other areas of her business.


Who do you think they are going to listen to? Vent your anti-Cortese abuse all you want (Though imo, it's a tad ungratedul for what he has contributed to the club even if it is not his own cash) but a petition is a ridiculous idea.

Report this post »

buster gutt says...
1:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Absolutely Gob Smacked!!!!! I'm trying to find reasons.Had Nigel applied for another Job?I doubt it.Was it the 5-1 loss at St Mary's :well he redeemed himself last Wed.
It's our first season here so what does the chairman expect European football this year?
Given that we are in the position to get another say 24 points or 8 wins under Nigel we would be safe.But maybe icole thinks this the best time for a new manager rather than bottom of the league which is allbiet improbable toward the end of the season. Expect an influx of Spanish/Italian players to be transferred in from now on.Sadly we have to move on....both to Nigel and the team I say THANK YOU I have seen the best football played by a Saints team for years ALL THE BEST WE LOVE YOU

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saintbobby says...
1:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Just awful and very unfair. How will it affect the players.

My bet, for starters, is that we will lose against Everton on Monday.

I look to the skies and just hope SO MUCH that I am wrong. I am very sad about this and send to Nigel many, many thanks and the very best of luck.

Report this post »

batesieboy says...
1:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

gooner1711 wrote:
BOYCOTT THE MONDAY NIGHT MATCH!!!!!
Don't be silly, goon-skin.

Report this post »

ottostrasser says...
1:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

George4th wrote:
Take the emotion away before posting your comments!

Cortese rescued the club and has got every major decision right so far. This new appointment is progress and the next step in establishing Saints in the Premiership.

(Yes, I feel sorry for Adkins but that's the way life/business/footba

ll works)
Please no intelligent comments on here please. Follow the mob :) Spot on I remember when Pardew was sacked and everyone was moaning about Adkins being appointed. Adkins did a great job but now onto another level.
My only concern in this matter is the dopey fans reaction to all this.

Report this post »

mberry77 says...
1:20pm Fri 18 Jan 13

get cortese out!

Report this post »

up saints says...
1:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

tomw1234 wrote:
CORTESE OUT!!!!!!!!!
i agree don't hold much hope for everton now

Report this post »

upwherewebelong says...
1:21pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Thornhill Saint wrote:
upwherewebelong wrote:
Thornhill Saint wrote:
lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
Probably the worst idea to come out yet. Do you have any new backers?

It's upsetting but football is ruthless.
Thornhill you are misrepresenting the facts in my opinion

Liebherrs are the financial backers - Cortese is JUST a chairman who convinced the Liebherrs to invest, how much of his own money has HE invested if any ??
He persuaded the Liebherrs to invest and they have kept with him even after Marcus died. He represents Katharina in other areas of her business.


Who do you think they are going to listen to? Vent your anti-Cortese abuse all you want (Though imo, it's a tad ungratedul for what he has contributed to the club even if it is not his own cash) but a petition is a ridiculous idea.
when did I ever in this response propose a petition. I have on others said IF this decision backfires then Cortese should in my opinion resign as you live and die by decisions when you are a chairman or ceo. And yes I said we should let Cortese know we are disattisfied but I did not suggest a petition someone else did.

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callcopse says...
1:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I guess it shouldn't be surprising but I really didn't see it. This is the worst decision I have seen this year in football. Nigel was just finding his feet and I felt sure we were going places. Pochettino can only be a cipher.

Absolutely furious. The good mood of a free day in the snow killed in an instant.

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Alicesdad says...
1:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a shoddy seedy way to go about our business.Adkins will shine again. Will stand and applaud him wherever he goes . Football is run by cold bsstards and Nigel simply did fit.
I salute the man o f true integrity and great achievements.

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hates the skates says...
1:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

why, why why?? why do this now? at the begining of the season i wasnt sure but take your hat of he turned it around. weds result almost felt like a win should of at least saw the season out. i wont be surprised if we get relegated now. i have my suspicions that behind the seens nigel has maybe kicked of over signings and this is the reason for his sacking, not footballing reasons. i know one of our players quite well-not going to say who- but the reason behind pardrews sacking after beating rovers, 4-2 up and cortese said to pardrew to give guly a run out and alan said i pick the team mate. this is why he was sacked. it seems that mr cortese doesnt like being answered back to. this is an absolute disgrace. were southampton fc mate pride of the south we do things properly and dont treat people like this. theirs only one person who needs to leave, so get on your bike and start peddling!!!!!

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SaintJD says...
1:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

At least the Echo has lightened the mood by saying Matt called the club a 'laughing stick'.

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Nigellites says...
1:23pm Fri 18 Jan 13

shirley-bill wrote:
any saints fan will back the manager , the club is bigger than any one man. lets see how the new boss does , and lets see which new players he brings in. But NA is and will always be a top bloke.
Yes we will back the manager but I didnt like Rupert Lowe and am quickly finding I feel the same about Cortese.

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callcopse says...
1:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Awful and unfair.

Best of luck with everything Nigel.

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three halves says...
1:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

shirley-bill wrote:
any saints fan will back the manager , the club is bigger than any one man. lets see how the new boss does , and lets see which new players he brings in. But NA is and will always be a top bloke.
Very good point Shirley.

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saintlysoul says...
1:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

devonsaint2 wrote:
The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad
This is an insightful post!

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Saint Nipper says...
1:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

devonsaint2 wrote:
The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad
You could be spot on.
Rickie is not cup-tied, and if it is corrected about who has been picking the team.....who knows

We need to have the stability of years ago - now it has all become a joke - the only thing that will make it hit home is falling gates and lower revenues.

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Thornhill Saint says...
1:26pm Fri 18 Jan 13

upwherewebelong wrote:
Thornhill Saint wrote:
upwherewebelong wrote:
Thornhill Saint wrote:
lowe hater, cornwall wrote:
RedArmy1 wrote:
saint Compo wrote:
Nigel Adkins will be remembered for a very long time as a great Saints manager who sadly wasn't given the chance to prove he could thrive in the premiership. It's a very sad day. The only consolation is the thought that he will soon be snapped up by (probably) an ambitious championship club. He will lead them into the premiership and (hopefully!) bring his new team to St Mary's and probably beat the Saints (assuming we're still there ourselves).

Good luck Nigel and many thanks for doing such a great job.

But things move on! The chairman is ruthlessly ambitious and believes he has appointed somebody better qualified to take us to the next stage. Only time will tell if he's right or wrong.

To fellow Saints fans, I would say this. It will do no good to boo the new manager or even the chairman. In fact it will increase the chances of our getting relegated (as so many predict). The players deserve our continuing support so let's keep behind them on Monday night and thereafter.

Football is big business and SFC, under Cortese, are ambitious. We should be pleased to know that despite the very great sadness that Nigel has been sacked.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

COYR
THE KING IS DEAD ...

LONG LIVE THE KING !!!!!

Let's get the support going for the new Manager ...

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY-RED ARMY
F**k the new manager lets get a get Cortese out petition going the new man will take us down unbelievable decision
Probably the worst idea to come out yet. Do you have any new backers?

It's upsetting but football is ruthless.
Thornhill you are misrepresenting the facts in my opinion

Liebherrs are the financial backers - Cortese is JUST a chairman who convinced the Liebherrs to invest, how much of his own money has HE invested if any ??
He persuaded the Liebherrs to invest and they have kept with him even after Marcus died. He represents Katharina in other areas of her business.


Who do you think they are going to listen to? Vent your anti-Cortese abuse all you want (Though imo, it's a tad ungratedul for what he has contributed to the club even if it is not his own cash) but a petition is a ridiculous idea.
when did I ever in this response propose a petition. I have on others said IF this decision backfires then Cortese should in my opinion resign as you live and die by decisions when you are a chairman or ceo. And yes I said we should let Cortese know we are disattisfied but I did not suggest a petition someone else did.
My original quote you queried was about the petition idea, Cortese has done alright so far. I was dismayed when he sacked Pardew and appointed Adkins.

Unless he really screws up Cortese does not deserve to be sacked, and I will be there on Monday showing that support for Saints.

Doesn't take away from the fact I am gutted bytthe news though.

COYS!

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lymicherry says...
1:26pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Disgraceful treatment of an honourable man under whose tenure Southampton were establishing themselves as a solid and increasingly impressive Premiership outfit. The football world has indeed gone mad.

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ghk230473 says...
1:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Cortese (schwi-man) is a ruthless little c11nt............... And es got no time fa grasses!

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Norwegian Saint says...
1:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

A F##KING DISGRACE!!!

NORWAY IS ASTONISHED AND VERY VERY ANGRY AT THIS!!!

I MET NIGEL OMCE AND HE IS A TOP MAN... DISGUSTING DECISION!!!

AND TO BRING A GUY IN WHO WAS POOR AT HIS LAST CLUB!!!

A BACKWARD STEP SAINTS... I THOUGHT NIGEL WOULD BE WITH US FOR TEN YEARS!

UNHAPPY HERE... VERY UNHAPPY!

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sijlaw says...
1:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We all love Adkins and wish him all the best. His enthusiasm is infectious and he has been unbelievable.

But there must be reasons for this, these are the only ones i can fathom

1. Transfer window, attracted a higher calibre of player

2. Nige has made some poor tactical choices this season, latest leaving SRL on the bench on weds.

3. £7m for Jay Rod doesn't look great business, he cant play wide or up top alone.

4. Goalkeeping uncertainty really hasn't helped and NA hasn't really put faith in one stopper this season.

We can argue that none of these are good enough reasons to sack a manager who has lost 2 in 12 and overachieving with some woeful players filling in for injuries.

personally I would of bought someone n with PL experience and i though Di Matteo was almost a ready made replacement, but this is what we've got and we need to get behind him!

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sijlaw says...
1:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We all love Adkins and wish him all the best. His enthusiasm is infectious and he has been unbelievable.

But there must be reasons for this, these are the only ones i can fathom

1. Transfer window, attracted a higher calibre of player

2. Nige has made some poor tactical choices this season, latest leaving SRL on the bench on weds.

3. £7m for Jay Rod doesn't look great business, he cant play wide or up top alone.

4. Goalkeeping uncertainty really hasn't helped and NA hasn't really put faith in one stopper this season.

We can argue that none of these are good enough reasons to sack a manager who has lost 2 in 12 and overachieving with some woeful players filling in for injuries.

personally I would of bought someone n with PL experience and i though Di Matteo was almost a ready made replacement, but this is what we've got and we need to get behind him!

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OSPREYSAINT says...
1:28pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SaintJD wrote:
At least the Echo has lightened the mood by saying Matt called the club a 'laughing stick'.
Skysports getting exited too called Matt an ex Saints manager!

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jimmy case's hearing device says...
1:30pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Haven't posted since JPT final.
Thank you Mr. Adkins for everything.It's been wonderful. Irrelevant whether this is a good football decision(I believe it it is crazy) but this cannot and should not be the way Southampton Football Club reward our managers/players/sup
porters. If this is about developing our BRAND then it isn't something I want to be associated with. I love this club. I do not feel that this is a decision that represents all that is special about SFC. I do not and will not trust someone who is removed from the groundswell of fans opinions and acts without dignity or decency. This is a disgrace no matter what the reasons or intentions are.
Do not boo the new manager but never forget Nigel Adkins. We owe him a great deal. Not least for the repeated praise he heaped upon us as supporters. Sing his name Lads and Lasses. There IS only one nigel Adkins! Once again, thank you Mr. Adkins.

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Crispinmumbles says...
1:30pm Fri 18 Jan 13

FACTS
ADKINS P:439 W:224 D:87 L:128 51%
Language Spoken English
M.POCc P:161 W:53 D38 L: 70 32.9%
Language Spoken Spanish
In his Stint at Espanyol he alienated their legendary player Raul Tamudo and when he left in Nov 2012 Espanyol were bottom of La Liga with 9 Points from 13 games. You have betrayed Liebherr's legacy Cortese you fecking numb nuts replacing a success who got results with an abject failiure. Now we are in the ****. VERY SORRY Nigel but you were always too good a man for this Swiss Banker (rhyming slang intended)

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Velleity says...
1:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Feeling sick. Literally.

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SaintJD says...
1:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

As for the official site's dull, churned out quotes, what's with the 'future vision' rubbish?

So are you telling me NA didn't agree with bringing young players through the system?

Facts don't back that up. What they do kind of point to is that Nigel didn't particularly buy into NC's 'signings' 100% or agree to play them every game.

For Torres read Ramirez.

Bets on whether he starts on Monday?

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deepee says...
1:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

April Fools Day has come early this year...

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Norwegian Saint says...
1:32pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I DID WORK WITH A GIRL WHO WAS HR AT SOUTHAMPTON A FEW YEARS AGO... SHE LEFT SAYING SHE COULD NOT WORK WITH CORTESE.

PLEASE LETS NOT HEAD BACK TO THE LOWE DAYS

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abbiscuits says...
1:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

AmsterdamSaint wrote:
I have had so much fun as a Saints fan over the last 3 years, I can not believe this. Nigel Atkins brought joy, respect and class back to St. Mary's. This is a BIG mistake. Back to mediocrity. Sad.
I have to agree that since NA has been in charge nearly every game has been excitement, not sure how many nil-nil he's been in charge of, but can't think of many. The bus ride with him and the players has been great. NC is crazy (officially certified mad as of today) and I wish NA all the best in the future, he will go far in his career, shame not with SFC, who may have lost a few thousand fans.
NA you are a Saints legend and will be aplalded on return to St Marys.

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hates the skates says...
1:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

upwherewebelong wrote:
Little Hitler wrote:
Very very regrettable, thank you Nigel for everything you've done for Southampton FC.

BUT, there's clearly a plan to move on to bigger things and the Chairman wants a higher profile manager who can attract the best players in Europe.

It's not right, it's not fair but the best analogy is the 'Saints players for England' thing, they just get picked. Cortese is trying to kick us on to the next level and we have to support him.

No Chelsea type histrionics please, that will do no good for anyone other than our rivals.

All the very best Nigel, a true Saints legend!
BUT surely Pochettino is not higher profile. I'd never heard of him before today. The more I think about it the more I think Cortese is trying to screw the club and undo all the progress made. Don't yet know why he would make this decision but what I am certain about is Cortese is a first class idiot and clueless about the sentiments of Saints fans. Hopefully he will leave Saints very soon.
amen, and a bell end!!!!

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curtisaint says...
1:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

What a horrible person this Cortese must be no sense at all in this did he think we were going to win the premiership first time.I feel gutted youve got my money this season Cortese but you won't be getting it next season. The way i feel at the moment I hope they do get relegated won't be at all surprised if some players want to leave

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OSPREYSAINT says...
1:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If this bloke can't speak English he will tell us even less that Nigel ever did and that will take some doing.

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DisplacedFan says...
1:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

It's a shock to us because we don't have the inside track. We don't know why this happened, but it's still our team. I wish Nigel well A good man. he will land on his feet. As for us, time will tell if this was a good decision for the club. It is a business after all and owners can be ruthless in getting the results they want. On some level, it does show the desire of Cortese to be successful.
I am going to reserve judgement.

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Sunny Saint says...
1:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SHOCKED & STUNNED!
I could kind of understand if Atkins was being replaced by a pedigree Coach that had the ability to take is the next level. However, this Muppet comes with bags full of F.....all!
Obviously, I am not privy to all the behind the scenes information, but as bad as things may possibly be, I can’t for the life of me understand why Atkins has to go right now, especially after doing so much for us. I'm afraid that will be one of the many that will be voting with my feet for the foreseeable future.

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NewForestStu says...
1:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

We must not forget the Sports Editors at the Daily Echo for their hand in this also, all their negativity and all that. Wonder if they are happy now?

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true saint 76 says...
1:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Has Cortese ever played football he is not interested in the true supporters or SFC not a lot of difference between him and R.Lowe.

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st1halo says...
1:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

devonsaint2 wrote:
charm_saints wrote:
No one knows what was happening behind the scenes.Although sad to see Adkins go we are still in a relagation battle and some of the bad results have been down to cr.p tactics from Adkins. We must welcome the new manager and not boo him!!.I have seen many managers and players go over the years and i am still a season ticket holder because i support my team whoever manages or plays for them.COYRs
What a load of nonsense you talk
Actually I agree with charm, think it's you (and others) that need to get some perspective


STID

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saintsupnorth says...
1:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Internet going mental about Adkins, Currently the most talked about topic in the world???!!!. No wonder le tiss said saints look like a joke.

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saintlysoul says...
1:36pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Will Crosby go as well and Dean Wilkins?

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Saintsteve7 says...
1:37pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I can just about get my head around sacking Nige, don't like it but could get my head around. BUT to replace him with a nobody is CRAZY and may well cost us our prem status. Shocked!

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Nicole23 says...
1:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Stop whining on about the last 12 games.
DWDDDLWLDWWD, IT'S JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
ON THAT BASIS WE WOULD GO DOWN !!!

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Norwegian Saint says...
1:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Pochettino took charge of Espanyol at the age of 36 in January 2009, and managed a best finish of eighth in La Liga in 2010-11.

He left the club by mutual consent at the end of November 2012, with an overall record of 49 wins from 146 league matches....

THIS DOES NOT FILL ME WITH HOPE!

SIR MARKUS WOULD NOT BE HAPPY.

SORRY FOR CAPITAL LETTERS.... BUT SOOOO ANGRY.... SOOOOO SOOOOO ANGRY!!!

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alderholtsaints says...
1:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is a sad day for all saints fans .Yes some did not like him but most did (me included ) . This just shows us all now that football has been lost to us the suporters.I for 1 will never go again and i never thought i would say that !

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TopBracket says...
1:38pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Wishing you all the best Nigel. What you've achieved in the last couple of years will never be forgotten. This is absolute madness. Cortese has really gone and done it this time. Bringing in a manager that took his former team to the bottom of La Liga and he can't even talk English. Some great research into a replacement. If you're gonna replace NA, then at least do it properly.

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batesieboy says...
1:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

george chivers wrote:
St Retford wrote:
HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*
How can you defend Cortese? If he had done it when we bottom of the league, then o.k. it is justifiable. But now when we have an upturn in results. Total nonsense!.

I won't be taking a deep breath and pausing, I will be shouting Nigel Adkins name. It will be character building for the new guy. Let him know what he has to follow.

Are you a secret PR man for Cortese?

Or just anal. Crazy post.

In Nicola we trust! I never have and never will trust him.
Mr. Chivers, you are so rude! A shame you do not trust Mr. Cortese as he is the bloke who saved us from extinction by persuading Mr. Liebherr to buy Southampton FC. St Retford is probably the best writer on here...I do not know him personally, but he is more of a man than you will ever be. So calm down and support the Saints, you old fool.

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OSPREYSAINT says...
1:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Alex Ferguson says it's unfair, then it must be so.

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three halves says...
1:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The fact that cornetto or whatever his name is doesent even speak english is almost comical.

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greenshoes says...
1:40pm Fri 18 Jan 13

As much as you all or most of you seem disgruntled with this decision, it was best made NOW rather than later in the season especially if the recent run had ended and it was to late to survive in the Premier League, I feel that the comments on here would be very different if that were to happen. Although Nigel has done a fantastic job for the Club I really think he is now finding it difficult, as Premier Football is a very different animal to the lower leagues. as you will all know.
Having said that I don't think MP is the right man for this club, if he was that good he wouldn't be available!.I think he has got mates rates from NC....

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up saints says...
1:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

season over now guly will start every game now no i don't hate him.i expect top players to leave in the transfere window now

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sfcsuperfan says...
1:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

mushrooms wrote:
gutted
Have followed Saints for 45 years and am an angry season ticket holder and this must go down as the worst decision ever. Its like losing a member of your own family. Nigel has done wonders the past few seasons and is now finding his feet in the Premier. The players all play for him and he is loved by the crowd. Senseless to change mid season oh dear oh dear.
Marcus must be turning over in his grave

Nigel we love you , thanks for everything we wish you well.

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malcher says...
1:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Please fellow Saints fansdo not turn St Marys into Stanford Bridge. What's done is done. None of us like it, but we still have to get behind out team and the new manager

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Scunthorpe United says...
1:41pm Fri 18 Jan 13

NC should have gone and not NA. My support for Soton. will now subside owing to this act of idiocy,

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st1halo says...
1:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
So according to you NC has had nothing to do with our ressurection as a club and our rise to the pinnacle of English Football .. i.e the PL ???

STID

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hates the skates says...
1:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

bluehants wrote:
WTF

I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football

I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there .
Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league
what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere
and i hope ur club is saved, where will the rivalry go if ur not about? brighton? just wouldnt be the same. good luck and thanks for your post.

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boilerman says...
1:43pm Fri 18 Jan 13

gooner1711 wrote:
BOYCOTT THE MONDAY NIGHT MATCH!!!!!
I think we should all go ,then walk out at Kick off, no Booing just leave.
This proves that it is not our club anymore, I fear for the stability of the club we could have another Blackburn on our Hands.
I just cant get my head around this.

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SaintJD says...
1:44pm Fri 18 Jan 13

sijlaw wrote:
We all love Adkins and wish him all the best. His enthusiasm is infectious and he has been unbelievable.

But there must be reasons for this, these are the only ones i can fathom

1. Transfer window, attracted a higher calibre of player

2. Nige has made some poor tactical choices this season, latest leaving SRL on the bench on weds.

3. £7m for Jay Rod doesn't look great business, he cant play wide or up top alone.

4. Goalkeeping uncertainty really hasn't helped and NA hasn't really put faith in one stopper this season.

We can argue that none of these are good enough reasons to sack a manager who has lost 2 in 12 and overachieving with some woeful players filling in for injuries.

personally I would of bought someone n with PL experience and i though Di Matteo was almost a ready made replacement, but this is what we've got and we need to get behind him!
I know you're only looking to see if there are any justifications, but I'll answer those points if that's OK...

1) I don't see that as valid. Ramirez was highly rated and it has been our policy to go for lesser known players or young prospects. Plus, seeing the likes of Shaw sign up and Puncheon say he wants to suggests the manager is well thought of. Plus, not sure our signings get to see too much of the manager before signing up.
2) Leaving Rickie on the bench could be seen as a master stroke. The same could be said of the Man City away game. In both cases we competed far better than we ever had a right to do against two multi-million pound squads that have murdered better teams than ours.
3) Chelsea have spent £200 million on strikers with only one real success in Drogba, so it is a lottery. The jury is still out on J-Rod and will be until he's had a year or two. Personally, I think he will flourish, especially now we are heading into the Championship thanks to NC. My point is, every single manager, even Ferguson and Jose, can be forgiven paying above the odds for one player in 10. Plus, how many signings last summer were Nigel's signings?
4) Yes, but who was in charge of bringing players in in the summer and in what positions? We'll probably never know. Plus, would you have put your faith in any of those three? They are all equally error prone.

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Confucious says...
1:44pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This will be an extremely unpopular decision. Just hope the fans don't do as Chelsea fans did over De Matteo and compound the problem.

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Pogle says...
1:44pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nigellites wrote:
ukfazerman wrote:
been a saints supporter since 73. this is madness. thats me done, i'm gone.
Don't go we need people like you to have a voice.
Sorry, I'm gone too!

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boilerman says...
1:46pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I thinl Abramovich, sorry I meant Cortese should be the one to go.
This could be the start of the slippery road to ruin.

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OSPREYSAINT says...
1:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

true saint 76 wrote:
Has Cortese ever played football he is not interested in the true supporters or SFC not a lot of difference between him and R.Lowe.
I disagree, while he has been with us, he has been a man on a mission to realise the wishes of Markus Liebherr, every thing he promised us so far, he has done, he perceives that Nigel Adkins has taken us as far as he is able to, so for the next step, i.e. Premiership survival and possible European involvment, he sees the need for someone different and has acted as he sees fit, if we want the same, we must trust him, if we want a return to the Championship, do a Chelsea reaction and watch us go down. Remember we are the twelth man in this situation, if we aren't prepared to give 100%, don't expect the team to do the same. Up to you.

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Allotment man 66 says...
1:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Has Cortese fallen out of his tree and damaged his brain, sacking the best manager we have had, for a failed Argentinian who was sacked for a BAD run of results, that says a lot for our chances. We are doomed for sure, I really hope that Nigel goes on to bigger and better things and works for someone who appreciates his talent .

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locksheath pompey says...
1:48pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.

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st1halo says...
1:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

RedArmy1 wrote:
sarfhamton wrote:
We must not boo on monday, look at Chelsea!

Mauricio Pochettino Red and White Army may not catch on tho.
FORGET ...

chanting about the Manager for NOW !!

LET'S GET BEHIND THE TEAM AND WIN.....

and don't forget a couple of beers before the next home game.

RED ARMY 2013,
YES .... The call of the true fan ... I'm with you Red.


STID

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Blackknight says...
1:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Poor poor decision, by Cortese. Very few foreign Managers suceed in the premier, (Venger accepted). However how are talented English Managers going to develop if they keep getting sacked?

Thanks and good luck Nigel, you want be out of work long.

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hates the skates says...
1:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Rocket 1 wrote:
What a tw&t Nicola Cortese is, still what can you expect from a man with a Girls name, probaby dont even understand the offside rule let alone football, best of luck Nigel you done this City Proud, Back to Back promotions oh and not to forget the Wembley win, I hope Coutese's next SH&T is a Hedgehog.
yeah mate you support southampton dont you. i think your find it was pardrew in charge for that wembley win!!

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saintlysoul says...
1:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!

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jaygleis says...
1:51pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Guillem Balague, Skys spanish correspondent confirms that Pochettino was touted for Real Madrid not long ago and turned down Valencia and Sampdoria last summer to stay at Espanyol who were only doing badly as they had to sell all of their best players. So lets give him a chance and see what happens.
Nige will never be forgotten but we cant turn our backs on the team!

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Deejaycee says...
1:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

AFCB fan here, really gutted for Saints supporters.
Always thought "Nicola" was a strange name for a man.
The web describes him as an Italian Banker.
I think they meant Italian W*nker.

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bullsbags says...
1:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Biggest prob is the club is run by a dictator.In the good old days the club was run by a board who made major decisions between them!

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up saints says...
1:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

5 year plan ahead of schedule now got backwards in my opinion

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Beer Monster says...
1:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I'll trawl through this later in the pub as I'm in meetings this afternoon.

To say that I'm feeling totally gutted is an understatement.

Good luck Nigel, you'll always be a Saint to us.

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saintlysoul says...
1:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hates the skates wrote:
bluehants wrote:
WTF

I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football

I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there .
Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league
what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere
and i hope ur club is saved, where will the rivalry go if ur not about? brighton? just wouldnt be the same. good luck and thanks for your post.
Excellent intelligent posts well done lads!

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SaintJD says...
1:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

st1halo wrote:
MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
So according to you NC has had nothing to do with our ressurection as a club and our rise to the pinnacle of English Football .. i.e the PL ???

STID
Good post MGRA, agree with everything you say here.

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st1halo says...
1:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

sk8srsinking wrote:
Absolutely disgusted by this decision am seriously considering returning my season ticket. When we got relegated last time under the dark lord it was mainly due to keep changing manager. Thank you Nigel for some of the best years as a saiints fan. "One Nigel Adkins theres only one Nigel Adkins"
It was mainly due to under investment in the team, Not a criticism that can be levelled at Cortese.

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MGRA says...
1:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

st1halo wrote:
MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
So according to you NC has had nothing to do with our ressurection as a club and our rise to the pinnacle of English Football .. i.e the PL ???

STID
you are getting a bit ahead of yourself aren't you ? We need to finish with three clubs below us to cement our position in the "pinnacle of English Football". NC knows nothing about football and this sacking proves it to the world. Football is about momentum and we had it in bucketloads, lets just hope he has not just flushed it all down the drain. All the BS rumours about NC picking the team are just that. He does not and never did. He does not know enough about football. But he let Nigel do things his way and he obviously has had enough of not being in total control.... I suspect Nigel left/was released for exactly the same reason Pardew left, and that was not being a puppet and letting NC dictate. Lets see how quickly the club can spin the rumours so that poor Nigel becomes just like Pardew, laden down with bogus stories about misconduct etc etc

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sijlaw says...
1:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SaintJD you make some valid points, who does make the signings?! if it is the chairman than he can use the manager as a scapegoat, the manager cant use the chairman!

I think weds may appear as a master-stroke but J Rod wasn't up for the lone striker role and we had alot of the ball 1st half and never did anything! Equally with 4-5-1 Steven Davis isnt up for the 'attacking role'. NA has tactically cost us points this campaign, but hes on a learning curve like the players and its recently began to look more settled

I would now expect some big signings! I feel a basic floor in NC's 'Masterplan' is the fact the new man cant even speak English!!

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up saints says...
1:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Deejaycee wrote:
AFCB fan here, really gutted for Saints supporters.
Always thought "Nicola" was a strange name for a man.
The web describes him as an Italian Banker.
I think they meant Italian W*nker.
seabourne will be thinking omg just got out in time this time next year you may be above us in the table

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bigfella777 says...
1:56pm Fri 18 Jan 13

bigfella777 says...
7:46pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Thts his game thrown away then, enjoy your last game Nigel.

As I said before the Chelsea game and I was correct as usual
Ospreysaint
Slugger
Baddeslybill
Norwegian/strasbourg
saint
Saintlysoul
Vellity
Loosehead
MGRA
Et al

YOU BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING HA HA HA!

JUST PROVES WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT FOOTBALL OR BUSINESS, NOTHING!!!

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upwherewebelong says...
1:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Having spent time to think more about this news i've a question.

is the anger that NA has been sacked or that an unknown and lets be honest a failure of a manager taken over. Would the majority of us be so appalled if for example Di Matteo had got the job ?

I justify my comment on the basis that Pochettino has a 30% win rate at his last and as far as I can tell ONLY job.

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magnette says...
1:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Saints are 3 points off relegation, their recent mediocre run of form was due to playing worse teams. Their defence is a joke. Everyone is nearly always out of position and they have let in 40 goals. Adkins has had a fortune to spend and that's what he has achieved. Cortese has to run the club successfully in the PL or he is out. Get behind the new guy at least he knows how to defend.

Gazza
Clyne Fonte Vacant, Shaw
Vacant, Vacant Vacant
Punch, Ramires, Lambert

bench, Boruc, lallana, cork, vacant, vacant etc

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SaintJD says...
1:57pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saintlysoul wrote:
locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!
Fair play to you Saintly Soul. May I be the first to apologise for thinking you were way off the mark with your gloomy predictions. Seems you were one of the few to see this coming.

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Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

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batesieboy says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

up saints wrote:
tomw1234 wrote:
CORTESE OUT!!!!!!!!!
i agree don't hold much hope for everton now
I agree Everton have no hope, Saints will win 3-1.

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Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

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OSPREYSAINT says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

bigfella777 wrote:
bigfella777 says...
7:46pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Thts his game thrown away then, enjoy your last game Nigel.

As I said before the Chelsea game and I was correct as usual
Ospreysaint
Slugger
Baddeslybill
Norwegian/strasbourg

saint
Saintlysoul
Vellity
Loosehead
MGRA
Et al

YOU BOYS TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING HA HA HA!

JUST PROVES WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT FOOTBALL OR BUSINESS, NOTHING!!!
.. fair enough but are you gloating or as unhappy about it as the rest of us?

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Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

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Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

Report this post »

Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

Report this post »

Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

Report this post »

Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

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Paul TS says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

So much for smashing your targets in terms of time scales!

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slugger says...
1:58pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Fair play Saintlysoul , you called it right .............. I'm gobsmacked at this news but now with the benefit of hindsight not as surprised as i thought i'd be ........ remember Nigels' strange comments after promotion last year ? ........ I wonder if Nigels' remit was to get us up and that's all ......... could be .

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saintmicky says...
1:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

loosehead wrote:
Nigellites wrote:
RingSaint wrote:
Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.
I am so glad that Cortese has finally seen the light.
If Adkins ever see's the Prem again I will eat my hat.
Time to move on and get a decent tactician in place.
If Nicole23 isn't a skate I will eat my hat
Are you a Portsmouth fan?
So not all saints fans believed Adkins was the right man to steer us to safety in the Premiership.
Does this make them all Pompey Fans?
Yes he got us back to back promotions yet we all know even last season our defence was not up to it.
the players bought in wasn't either enough or just weren't up to the task.
You can only support some one for past glories for so long.
I was saying before Christmas give it until the January transfer window & see if he ( Adkins) is still here well he isn't & sorry but many True Good Saints fans have been saying he would go that does not make us Pompey fans
Nicole is a skate, and you are a self confessed fiddler of the egg shaped ball!

STID

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saintlysoul says...
2:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SaintJD wrote:
saintlysoul wrote:
locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!
Fair play to you Saintly Soul. May I be the first to apologise for thinking you were way off the mark with your gloomy predictions. Seems you were one of the few to see this coming.
Thank you Saint JD

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SaintJD says...
2:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

By the way, thanks to all the fans of other clubs, particularly some of our local neighbours, for, in the most part, being kind to us today. It's kind of like losing a family member, so appreciate that.

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OSPREYSAINT says...
2:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

SaintJD wrote:
saintlysoul wrote:
locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!
Fair play to you Saintly Soul. May I be the first to apologise for thinking you were way off the mark with your gloomy predictions. Seems you were one of the few to see this coming.
.. yep, how could we be so wrong, are you happy with the outcome yourself though. Obviously me being a happy clapper couldn't see the wood for the trees.

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Scarborosaint says...
2:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Mr cortese you are a absolute muppet Is the nicest thing I can think of to say , Nigel hold your head up high , you have done this club and us the supporters proud, good luck .
ML will be turning in his grave

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saint dan says...
2:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If this is the price of success then I'm not interested.

I was at the last game of the season, two seasons in a row and have never felt so proud to be a saints fan. Some of the football was exceptional and we were committed to being an adventurous team.

This move is one of the worst decisions ever made by the club and was made by a ego-maniac who clearly has no real idea of what the fans of the club want.

I am certain that this move will backfire and will cause great upset amongst fans and players alike. Will Rickie and Adam be glad to see the back of a man who has completely galvanised their careers, i dont think so.

Nige - you dont deserve this treatment and I hope you go on to better things with a chairman that isnt an intefering knob. Thankyou for the past three years and all the great times you have brought to St Mary's. You will always be an utter legend in mine and many others eyes.

I hope St Mary's is deserted come Monday night just to show Nicola how much he has fcuked up.

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saintlysoul says...
2:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

slugger wrote:
Fair play Saintlysoul , you called it right .............. I'm gobsmacked at this news but now with the benefit of hindsight not as surprised as i thought i'd be ........ remember Nigels' strange comments after promotion last year ? ........ I wonder if Nigels' remit was to get us up and that's all ......... could be .
Thank you Slugger

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malcher says...
2:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Again, I say yes we are all upset but we must support our team. Whoever plays, manages or runs the club it is still our club. The support of late has been magnificent so don't let this blow dampen that. Let's not pre judge the new guy. Wait and see. You may or may not lke NC but he hasn't made many mistakes so far has he?

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Linesman says...
2:02pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This give credibility to Le Tiss' opinion of Cortese.

After a difficult start in the Premier League, which was to be expected, Adkins has turned things around and has the team heading in the right direction. His reward for this, and back to back promotions?

The sack!

To add insult to injury, he is being replaced by an inexperienced manager, whose only experience is that he took Espanyol to the bottom of the league.

It is Cortese that should have been sacked, not Adkins.

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Mush On The Beach says...
2:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

CherrySi wrote:
Cherries fan in peace.....I hate football sometimes. Gutted for NA and Saints fans, both deserved much better. Hope you all make your feelings known, as this has got disaster written all over it. Totally sick of most boards undermining their clubs and taking their supporters for granted. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Good man Si, thanks for the solidarity.
From a Cherries fan, you’ve gotta admit Pochettino is a silly name :)

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batesieboy says...
2:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saintlysoul wrote:
devonsaint2 wrote:
The team will now break up
Ricki will be off
Shaw won't sign
Everyone will be in for Adam, Morgan & Punch.
2 weeks of the window to go and everyone is unsettled.

Worse moment in supporting Saints for 48 years...so sad
This is an insightful post!
No, it's an over-emotional, hysterical, childish response to an action he doesn't like.No-one's dead, life goes on, we have to beat Everton on Monday.

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bluehants says...
2:04pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hates the skates wrote:
bluehants wrote:
WTF

I love football and pompey and dont like to see you win (of course) but this and what happened at FP are all thats wrong with football

I havnt been on here for a while as he turned it round there .
Another good manager sacked, for what? 2 losses in 12 in the prem league
what a joke. Atkins will do well elsewhere
and i hope ur club is saved, where will the rivalry go if ur not about? brighton? just wouldnt be the same. good luck and thanks for your post.
I would love you us b,mouth brighton all in the top league fighting for top spot, we wouldall need a therapist to cope lol.


Football as a whole is the loser today
Fans are just a 2nd thought.
I couldnt post normally cos you havt lost in a while, NA was a good manager
what do youhave todo to keep a job in the prem

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RahRah says...
2:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Don't usually post on here, never felt the need to moan. Have been really happy with the decisions made by Mr Cortese! although was suprised when he released Mr Pardew, but mainly due to the fact the Nigel wasn't that well known and I believe he has shown his salt and I truly admire the man for all that he has done for SFC, I certainly don't feel that he has deserved this.
I am truly disgusted with Mr Cortese, stability has been proved as the main ingredient to success, and 12 games unbeaten is not to be sniffed at in the Prem.
I had hoped that Nigel was part of the overall 5 year plan, given time to grow and develop...
VERY DISAPPOINTED and NOT impressed!!!

Thank you Nigel I think you are star quality and the man instated, for me wont fill your boots!!

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OSPREYSAINT says...
2:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

jaygleis wrote:
Guillem Balague, Skys spanish correspondent confirms that Pochettino was touted for Real Madrid not long ago and turned down Valencia and Sampdoria last summer to stay at Espanyol who were only doing badly as they had to sell all of their best players. So lets give him a chance and see what happens.
Nige will never be forgotten but we cant turn our backs on the team!
Yes, come on MP let us see what you are made of, keep us up and we will soon forgive what has happened today, improve the squad and we could stay in the Premier for a while.

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MGRA says...
2:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

slugger wrote:
Fair play Saintlysoul , you called it right .............. I'm gobsmacked at this news but now with the benefit of hindsight not as surprised as i thought i'd be ........ remember Nigels' strange comments after promotion last year ? ........ I wonder if Nigels' remit was to get us up and that's all ......... could be .
Nigel is the sure fire winner out of all this I think, he will be snapped up on a fabulous contract somewhere.... Lets hope everyone is a winner in this....

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Barcelona Saint says...
2:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Looks like Saints always attract the lunatic directors! Liebherr turning in his grave..

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Thornhill Saint says...
2:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

upwherewebelong wrote:
Having spent time to think more about this news i've a question.

is the anger that NA has been sacked or that an unknown and lets be honest a failure of a manager taken over. Would the majority of us be so appalled if for example Di Matteo had got the job ?

I justify my comment on the basis that Pochettino has a 30% win rate at his last and as far as I can tell ONLY job.
You forgot the Espanol Womans team.

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EricMartin'sHat says...
2:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Strange decision. If NC is unhappy with Saints results then more players is the key, not a new manager. NA probably gets the best from the squad we have, and to see the swing in our Goal Difference since mid November is incredible - Goal Diff never lies at the end of the season. I don't see what a new manager, with little experience, and non in england, can do with this existing squad. fingers crossed we get 3 points against Everton, but I don't think that will happen somehow, especially not now with NA sacked!! HELP!!!

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Block 34 says...
2:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This is not the type of approach I want from my club.
Can I get a refund on my s/tkt??

Get rid of Cortese. I'd rather be in the lower leagues with a decent club than be another Chelsea

Disgraceful.
I won't be back at st Mary's next season even if we win all our remaining matches.
Rickie will be the next one out - after all, he's not one for the "future" is he!!!!!

Unbelievably dishonourable

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st1halo says...
2:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

boilerman wrote:
gooner1711 wrote:
BOYCOTT THE MONDAY NIGHT MATCH!!!!!
I think we should all go ,then walk out at Kick off, no Booing just leave.
This proves that it is not our club anymore, I fear for the stability of the club we could have another Blackburn on our Hands.
I just cant get my head around this.
So you want to avoid us becoming like Blackburn and then urge us to leave at kick off ???

Really??

STID

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monkeytennis says...
2:08pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Regardless of whether Cortese supposedly saved the club this decision stinks. In any other walk of life Adkins would be the best employee a business has had. He did exactly what was asked of him and realitically speaking he continued to do so this season. It was not our right to get back to back promotions, look at all the clubs that have dropped out of the premiership and have invested large amounts but not returned. To rward him like this with no feasible explanation, just a load of corporate mumbo jumbo just showswhat a power hungry clown Cortese is. And to replace him with a man who hardly has a managerial CV that sets the world on fire and cannot speak English is ridiculous. No serious saints fan can back this or think that the season will get better now!!!!

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george chivers says...
2:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

batesieboy wrote:
george chivers wrote:
St Retford wrote:
HANG ON EVERYONE. I feel bad for Nigel but can we all take a deep breath and pause before we follow the example of Chelsea fans and use home fixtures as a forum to voice our displeasure. We don't have enough breathing space between us and the drop zone to do that.

Nigel will always be a Saints legend but let's not forget that he'll have received a) a very generous pay off from his long term contract and b) a status in the game 10 times that which he had when he joined us. He'll be alright.

Let's give the new guy a chance to continue Nigel's work and let Nicola show he knows what he's doing. He's not been wrong very often.

*ducks*
How can you defend Cortese? If he had done it when we bottom of the league, then o.k. it is justifiable. But now when we have an upturn in results. Total nonsense!.

I won't be taking a deep breath and pausing, I will be shouting Nigel Adkins name. It will be character building for the new guy. Let him know what he has to follow.

Are you a secret PR man for Cortese?

Or just anal. Crazy post.

In Nicola we trust! I never have and never will trust him.
Mr. Chivers, you are so rude! A shame you do not trust Mr. Cortese as he is the bloke who saved us from extinction by persuading Mr. Liebherr to buy Southampton FC. St Retford is probably the best writer on here...I do not know him personally, but he is more of a man than you will ever be. So calm down and support the Saints, you old fool.
Is it rude to have a different opinion? Have a look at the results of the Echo poll. How many people agree with Cortese? Have a look at Pochettino's record at Espanyol compared to Adkins record at Saints

The new guy is now on a hiding to nothing to save us from relegation. I hope he succeeds but I don't think the decision is correct. As I didn't think it was with Pardew. And yes we got lucky with Adkins and I am grateful for that. And Cortese has done well for us and saved the club. But I don't agree with this decision and I don't agree with St Retford's point of view.

The most important part of any business is the customer. The customer (fan) is king not the CEO.

As a fan and a customer of SFC I unhappy with the decision the CEO has made and I have a right to say that because I pay for a season ticket. And so does anyone who pays to watch Saints.

I shall be chanting Nigel Adkins name
because he deserves that to happen, as Di Matteo deserved it to happen at Chelsea.

In my opinion this is the wrong time to sack Adkins. But it is the right time for fans like me to express my grief and my opinion!

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up saints says...
2:09pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saintlysoul wrote:
SaintJD wrote:
saintlysoul wrote:
locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!
Fair play to you Saintly Soul. May I be the first to apologise for thinking you were way off the mark with your gloomy predictions. Seems you were one of the few to see this coming.
Thank you Saint JD
hello saintysoul i hope your correct in thinking the players will be happy to see n/a go i can't see that.maybe jwp may get a crack now if not pushed out on loan

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Davedogsaints says...
2:10pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I don't normally write on these types of sites. I've been a saints fan forever and have always made the time go to games even when there was a lack of funds in the bank. I've only managed two games this season and have taken my son to his first game! But what the club has done to Atkins is a disgrace. I won't be going again till the chairman is removed from his post! Thank you Nigel Atkins for being such a good manager and good luck for the future!

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hates the skates says...
2:11pm Fri 18 Jan 13

InCortesewetrust wrote:
MGRA wrote:
Any rumours about Adkins will be lies made up and spread by the club. Thats exactly what happened to Pardew. All the rumours were total BS and they started at the club. This is simply a case of a man who knows jack-sh1t about football being in charge of a club and just exercising his rights to do what the hell he likes. The adoration he got from some on here always baffled me and I know my inside knowledge was ridiculed but I take no pleasure in this evidence of his arrogance. Nigel would have kept us up and we had momentum building. Now the players have to adapt to a new coach who does not speak english and whose country we may soon be at war with. Nicola, in case any are in doubt, is a fool and may have just cost us a second season in the Premier League.
Pardew was trying to insert his penis into the players wife's vaginas, true story,
yeah gulys misses at the training ground. i know this story to pardrew is a bit of a ladies man. though that is not the only reason. when we were beating bristol rovers NC said to AP to give guly a chance and he said i pick the team thanks. cortese dont like being stood up to. though this probably has more to do with gulys misses blowing him out even though hes crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

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tulios says...
2:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Where on earth is our Chairman's thinking with this. It is complete madness to change horse at this stage of the season and just as we were starting to gather some momentum. Don't know about the players wanting him out either. Some of his tactical decisions this year have been questionable but he hardly deserved this. Never heard of the new man, we gonna have it all to do to stay up now

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batesieboy says...
2:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
If this bloke can't speak English he will tell us even less that Nigel ever did and that will take some doing.
I think we should probably draw a line under it and move on in preparing for the next game...

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Judge1962 says...
2:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I must say I am very dissapointed with Nigel being sacked, although as a saints season ticket holder, prem down and then back, we have seen some very strange decisions made by Mr Cortese.
I will give the new manager my backing because I don't want a negative atmosphere affecting the players.
Hay, you never know this might work out, after all, we all said Nigel who? two years ago when Alan was sacked and we were doing well at the time then too.

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tulios says...
2:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Where on earth is our Chairman's thinking with this. It is complete madness to change horse at this stage of the season and just as we were starting to gather some momentum. Don't know about the players wanting him out either. Some of his tactical decisions this year have been questionable but he hardly deserved this. Never heard of the new man, we gonna have it all to do to stay up now

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saintlysoul says...
2:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
SaintJD wrote:
saintlysoul wrote:
locksheath pompey wrote:
Huge gamble. Just when you seemed to be heading in the right direction? Can't think all those players he recruited, developed etc are going to be too happy?

Unhappy players never ends well for a team.
That's just the point the players won't be unhappy. They wanted NA out and had done for some time. NA had lost the dressing room a long time ago!
Fair play to you Saintly Soul. May I be the first to apologise for thinking you were way off the mark with your gloomy predictions. Seems you were one of the few to see this coming.
.. yep, how could we be so wrong, are you happy with the outcome yourself though. Obviously me being a happy clapper couldn't see the wood for the trees.
Osprey, I think this is all very sad. As I've said repeatedly NA is a very nice man and deserved better. He has done a fantastic job for Southampton Football Club.Back to back promtions and turned the team around to get them where they are in the Premier League now. He had faith in youth as shown in JWP and Luke Shaw. He got some things wrong. All that proved was that he was a human being. What today's announcement shows is that there is no sentiment in football. Loyalty counts for nothing. It is a shame but symptomatic of the game and the society in which we live. That's probably why players think nothing of moving clubs over their careers as there is no reward for loyalty - this philosophy seems to pervade the whole game.

IMO for wha's it worth as Saints fans we should now get behind firstly the players as they have to cope with a change of manager which can't be easy and secondly the new manager. We may not like the decision that has been made but it has been made. We can't undo it. We have to move forward and like it or not that means with a new manager who, if for no other reason, is Southampton's manager deserves our support. I hope he will be embraced and supported like NA was. It is not his fault NA was sacked.

I hope the fans dont turn against the manager. One only has to look at Chelsea and see what effect that type of behaviour has on a manger to realise that it wuld be an insidious and otiose reaction.

Lets get behind the team and wish them well!!!!!

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only1chopper says...
2:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Nicole23 wrote:
YESSSSSSSSSS!! Correct decision.