Wotte stays for now

From the BBC

Southampton head coach Mark Wotte has agreed to stay on at St Mary's as the League One club's manager.

The Dutchman, who took over from Jan Poortvliet in January on a short-term basis, will have to try and hold the Saints together amid off-field turmoil.

Saints face a race against time to find a new buyer after front-runners the Pinnacle group pulled out on Tuesday.

"I didn't want to leave while the club are in such a difficult situation," Wotte said.

The administrator, Mark Fry, is believed to be in talks with a Swiss consortium but, with their first pre-season fixture arranged for Saturday at Eastleigh, time is running out to secure the club's future before the new season.

"I am happy that we now have a clearer situation on the football side of things and can now step up our preparations over the next few weeks," Wotte continued.

"I have also asked Michael Svensson to continue working as my assistant. Any other backroom staff appointments will be confirmed in due course."

I like Mark Wotte and I like his attitude. Most people would have walked by now but he has stayed. Fair play to him. He's the only person involved with the club who has any shred of dignity left.

If he does stay I hope he looks for some strength to boost our squad.

I am how much time Wotte will actually have to get it right. We need at least 3 maybe 4 good players to strengthen out side. I would still like to see the end of some of our underachievers. Guess we will soon learn how the land lies.