MARK Wotte tonight told the Daily Echo he had mixed feelings about stepping into the role as Saints head coach.

The club announced shortly after 8pm that Jan Poortvliet had stepped down due to the side’s woeful home form – Saints have won just one of 14 league games at St Mary’s this season.

Wotte has now taken over as head coach on a permanent basis and was due to meet the players at the club’s Staplewood training ground at 9am tomorrow.

The 48-year-old will meet with the media on Monday and did not wish to say much before then.

However, he said: "It is mixed feelings for me. But the club is the most important thing right now. We have to do what’s best for the club, starting today from me."

For full story, see tomorrow's Daily Echo.