10:21am Thursday 9th September 2010
SAINTS' move to make Nigel Adkins their new manager looks to be in serious doubt.
Scunthorpe chairman Steve Wharton has claimed that the 45-year-old is refusing to resign from his job with the Iron, which he alleged Saints wanted him to do in order to avoid a compensation payment.
First thing today, Scunthorpe put out a statement saying Adkins - who is understood to be on a 12 month rolling contract - and his right hand man Andy Crosby had agreed terms to join Saints after talks yesterday.
It was subject to the two clubs agreeing a compensation package.
But Iron chairman Wharton said this morning that the deal had not gone through.
“The situation is that Nigel was given an ultimatum last night by Southampton to resign and accept their offer," said Wharton.
“But Nigel was not prepared to do that. He wanted to walk out of Glanford Park with his head held high and everything agreed.
“I have tried to contact the Southampton chairman today but have not been able to get hold of him.
“I was not prepared to roll over and let Nigel leave for nothing.
“I wanted some compensation for what I felt he was worth. It was only a modest amount.
“From a selfish point of view I will be happy if Nigel stays with us.
“But I also feel very sorry for Nigel if this was a move that he had set his heart on.
“The Southampton people have been very difficult to deal with.
“They are probably not the right sort of people for Nigel to be working with.
“But at the moment I am not exactly sure what the situation is until I have talked further to Nigel.”
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