Pearson out as Saints sensationally appoint Dutch coach (From Daily Echo)

Pearson out as Saints sensationally appoint Dutch coach

8:00am Friday 30th May 2008 in

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Michael Wilde and Rupert Lowe have outlined their vision for the future of Saints after sensationally naming Jan Poortvliet as the club's head coach.

The Dutch 1978 World Cup finalist will head up a four-man coaching team that also includes another Dutchman, Mark Woote, as well as academy coach David Hockaday and reserve team boss Stewart Henderson.

Poortvliet and Woote replace Nigel Pearson, whose contract will not be renewed this summer after just 14 games in charge.

However, this is not just a straightforward change of manager.

Saints say they are trying to break away from the gaffer culture' and introduce a continental approach to the club, with the academy players training alongside the first team to try and ensure a seamless transition between the two.

The moves have been driven by a number of factors but one of the most pressing is money.

Both Poortvliet and Woote have agreed to join on modest contracts - combined much less than Pearson's salary - but with big incentives for success.

Also with the wage bill being slashed at St Mary's and money to spend on players virtually non-existent, it is being described as the way to safeguard the future of the club.

Football board chairman Wilde said: "A major priority since taking control of the club has been to resolve the manager and coaching situation and to that end we had to look at the financial restrictions in which we're operating.

"Having established those, we held a meeting with Nigel which was extremely constructive and helpful and the board were impressed with what Nigel had to say.

"We're sure he will be a well respected manager in the future at whatever club he ultimately goes to.

"However, the board have been looking closely at the situation on the playing side of the club whereby we are inevitably going to have to depend to a large extent on the quality of our youngsters in the academy and the reserve team, who we believe are of extremely good quality and will have a big role to play in the team next season.

"Bearing in mind the financial restrictions, the board have decided to implement a coaching structure which will optimise the potential of the youngsters that are within the club.

"Our view on that was that we would need to adopt a European style coaching system led by a head coach with the objective of linking the academy to the first team, so that in essence all the players are going to be training and working together under the eye of the head coach.

"The board believe that this will create opportunities for our younger players which might not occur within the traditional English management structure.

"The objective will be that if players are good enough they will be able to play or develop in accordance with their capabilities."

There will be sympathy for Pearson, though.

Despite a record of just three wins in his 14 games, he was hailed a hero after Saints avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season.

"We're extremely grateful for Nigel's contribution," added Wilde.

"He came to the club at a time of crisis and through his hard work and commitment we were narrowly able to avoid relegation on the last day."

Wilde and Lowe's Saints vision in full - don't miss today's Daily Echo.