LES Reed is hoping Saints can find success again.

The former vice chairman was sacked last week after the club decided they needed to go in a ‘new direction’.

Reed had been in charge of football related matters since 2010 before being dismissed by club chairman Ralph Krueger.

Despite this, the ex-FA man insisted he is keen for Saints to work their way back up the Premier League table, despite being given the axe.

Reed said: “It’s a good situation [at Southampton] and I hope it continues for many years to come.

“I hope the new owners are able to move forward and get out of the trouble we appear to be in at the moment. 

“A lot of work has gone in there, so I want it to be as successful as it can possibly be.”

Reed joined Saints when they were in League One and helped build them back into a Premier League club during his tenure.

It was his idea to appoint Ronald Koeman, who went on to manage the St Mary’s side to sixth in the table, which resulted in a place in the Europa League.

However, those heights haven’t been reached since Koeman left.

Claude Puel came closest during his one-year spell in charge when he took Saints to a League Cup final and an eighth-placed finish in the league.

Under Reed’s stewardship, Saints have recently had a number of unsuccessful transfer windows and managerial appointments, which has sent the club on a downward spiral.

Former boss Mauricio Pellegrino is an example of the wrong choice being made.

Pellegrino was sacked in March as it looked like he was about to take Saints into the Championship.

He was replaced by Reed’s long term ally, Mark Hughes, who kept them up and was rewarded with a three-year contract in the summer.

But with only one win in 12 matches this season, the former vice chairman paid the price for the side’s misgivings and lost his job. 

However, Reed has no regrets.

“It was a fantastic eight and a half years. A fantastic rise from administration through League One to the Premier League, with four good finishes and some absolutely wonderful people,” Reed added.

“There have been some good players who have come through the ranks and gone on to the top level, I’ve enjoyed working with players like that. 

“The staff have also been brilliant and supportive.”