Claus Lundekvam has urged the Saints board to appoint a manager who will be committed to the club for the long term.

The experienced Saints skipper will be on his TENTH permanent manager since joining the club in 1996 when a successor to George Burley is appointed.

But having seen such a high turnover of bosses, the Norwegian centre half is certain that instability is not the recipe for success.

Lundekvam is desperate for the next Saints manager to stay for the foreseeable future.

He said: "You do get used to the manager changing in a way but this is not good in the long run and we all know that.

"If you're going to achieve something you need stability over some time because it takes time.

"To keep changing the manager, who then changes players and staff, take times.

"For me, it's key to get somebody in who we will stick with for a while.

"Obviously this is a big appointment for the club and the board.

"I'm sure they will make the right decision but it's going to be quite important to get somebody in who is really passionate and wants to achieve something with this club.

"It will be very interesting.

"There are a few names that have been linked but we will have to wait and see."

Lundekvam also gave a fair assessment of Burley's time in charge at St Mary's.

"Overall, he did a pretty good job," said the man battling back from a major ankle operation.

"There's been quite a few ups and downs but he's a pretty good coach."

Full story: See today's Daily Echo.