Kevin Summerfield had no hesitations in joining "lively" Paul Sturrock at Southampton.

Sturrock's right hand man at Plymouth was again sat alongside him at St Mary's yesterday after being unveiled as one of Saints' two first team coaches.

The new-look coaching line-up sees Steve Wigley also acting as first team coach as well as continuing his role as director of youth.

Long-serving Dennis Rofe moves across to take charge of the reserves.

In three years together, Sturrock and Summerfield achieved two Nationwide league titles with Plymouth and are eager to start work again.

Summerfield said: "It wasn't a hard decision at all.

"To have the opportunity to come to Southampton and work with Paul again is something I've been looking forward to for a long while and now it's come to fruition.

"We've had two or three very successful years and we've worked very closely together. I've enjoyed working with Paul and I can't wait to get started again.

"In three years at Plymouth we got to know each other and, as it was stated, I wasn't in any way looking to be a manager - I enjoy coaching and Paul gave me that chance at Plymouth and gave me a lot of responsibility.

"There is always a feeling you need to pit your wits against the best you can and this is the ideal position to be in.

"From day one when Paul came to Southampton we spoke on the phone and he was nothing but complimentary about the way they (Saints) worked.

"He thought there were a lot of similarities between the way they work and Plymouth did. And if they are like he says it will be a pleasure."

Summerfield and Sturrock are not just mates in the dugout but also away from football and their friendship holds them in good stead.

"The one word to describe him is lively," said Summerfield of Sturrock.

"There's never a dull moment when Paul's around, whether it's on or off the training ground or socialising - you always need to be on your toes and alert and be aware of what's going on around you.

"I've really enjoyed working with him, he's a great coach, a great fella and I'm very fortunate to be working with him again."

Sturrock added: "There will be a staff meeting later this month and we'll get down to the nitty gritty of the make-up of it all.

"Kevin did a fantastic job for me at Plymouth and it was the correct way to go to get somebody on the same wavelength as you to be at the football club.

"Steve and Dennis have done fantastic jobs for me and they will be part of the team."

The Saints coaching team also includes academy pair Stewart Henderson and Georges Prost, with Huw Jennings as academy director.

Saints legend Francis Benali was helping the reserves out last season as he took his first steps on the coaching ladder, but he left in January to pursue business interests and his position is not being filled.

John Blackley, who worked with Sturrock as his defensive co-ordinator at St Johnstone, Dundee and Plymouth, will NOT be joining Summerfield at St Mary's.