STRACHAN???

It's only the Sun but............

GORDON STRACHAN is being lined up for a shock return to Southampton.

New owner Markus Liebherr sacked Mark Wotte as Saints head coach yesterday, less than 24 hours after buying the club.

And the Swiss billionaire is believed to want former boss Strachan to be part of his new regime at St Mary's - either as boss or a football advisor.

Saints refused to deny reports that Strachan was at the club's training ground yesterday, hours after Wotte's dismissal.

The fiery Scot led Saints to the 2003 FA Cup Final but quit a year later.

He then won three SPL titles at Celtic before leaving Glasgow in May.

Southampton's financial plight means they start in League One with a 10-point penalty after a disastrous relegation from the Championship.

Wotte signed a new 12-month deal only last week and SunSport can reveal he was in talks over a new player 90 minutes before being sacked.

Ex-Reading boss Steve Coppell is another early contender to replace him.

Reserve coach Stewart Henderson takes charge on a temporary basis.

Exciting thoughts, Gordon would get the crowds in. (Not so keen on the Coppell idea)

I have heard a whisper that Hoddle is earmarked for the job as well. Whoever we do end up with we need them in pretty damn quick. Today would be helpful.
Strachan would bring in some bums on seats but having been away from the English game would he be able to get the right sort of player to get us out of div 1? There again would Hoddle?

From Glasgow Evening Times....


Ex-Celtic boss Gordon Strachan playing down any return to management

GORDON STRACHAN has distanced himself from reports he is interested in a return to management with Southampton.

The ex-Celtic gaffer is understood to be heading the wish list of new St Mary's supremo Markus Liebherr, who sacked Saints coach Mark Wotte within 24 hours of taking over the First Division club.

Strachan guided Southampton to the FA Cup Final in 2003, when they lost 1-0 to Arsenal, and still has a house on the south coust.

Swiss billionaire Liebherr wants Strachan back, and reports are circulating the man who quit his post at Celtic in May was at the Saints' training ground yesterday.

But Strachan is enjoying a break with his family after four intense years at Parkhead, and has no immediate plans to retun to the management game.

Strachan won't do it. I hope it will be Steve Coppell.

Please dont let it be Dowie.

Steve Coppell has looked wshed up the last few times i have seen him. He appeared to have had enough. I would hope for someone more exciting myself. Preferably someone who can get us a few players that know how to play and fight for the right to do so. It would be nice to see us playing football and scoring goals as we used to be able to do on a regular basis.

Tony Adams has been mentioned. Christ I hope he doesn't come here, especially after his dismal showing with the skates - let's face it the sk8s have (had!) a decent squad and I don't rate Adams at all.

As long as it is not that prat Tony adams clueless pluss his skateville connetion,
same goes for dowie coppell dont mind aidey boothroyd curbishley ok too.

I think a quiet word with MLT will put our new board in the picture. They did say they would have a chat with him so I figure they will be digging for information about our history amongst other things.

Betfair have now suspended all bets on Wee Gordon as next manager of the Saints. His odds since Wotte was removed had dropped a lot ending up 8/13.

SFC Forever wrote:Betfair have now suspended all bets on Wee Gordon as next manager of the Saints. His odds since Wotte was removed had dropped a lot ending up 8/13.

I hope that this is because WGS really IS coming back and not because of all the gossip, speculation and rumour that's abounding. I have a feeling that it's the latter.

Like you I am concerned that we could end up with a manager that we simply won't want. I just have the feeling that all will come right and we will be quietly surprised and pleased by the person nominated.

SFC Forever wrote:Like you I am concerned that we could end up with a manager that we simply won't want. I just have the feeling that all will come right and we will be quietly surprised and pleased by the person nominated.

I know we are concerned about getting a pillock such as Adams, but like you I have a feeling that we'll be fine. I have a suspicion the new owner has got his head in the right place, knows what the fans want and won't make stupid mistakes.

Let us hope that we are both correct. I would hate to let my nipper down by not seeing us actually win a game. We need a manager that can do the job and there just has to be somebody out there available with knowledge and the ability to use it.

I still don't think it will be Strachan but I found this on the Betting Directory............

Next Southampton Manager Odds
The Bookies have stopped taking bets on this market as it seems like the deed has been done and the new Southampton manager is going to be Gordon Strachan. Gordon has recently parted with Celtic and this looks another tough assignment for the Scot but no better man. All of this comes in the wake of the new buyout of the club and it seems that things could be getting better for the southern club.

He could do a job for us that's certain. Plus I think it highly likely that he could bring a couple of tough tackling scots down with him.

SFC Forever wrote: Plus I think it highly likely that he could bring a couple of tough tackling scots down with him.

That's a nice thought....

On Echo website....

Saints have drawn up a shortlist for the vacant managerial position – but Gordon Strachan is not understood to be on it.

There has been fevered speculation that the man who guided Saints to the 2003 FA Cup final could be set for a sensational return to St Mary's after the sacking of Mark Wotte.

Bookmakers dramatically cut his odds after a flurry of bets which stemmed from him being spotted at the club's Staplewood training ground on Thursday.

But there was an innocent explanation as Strachan is still friends with the medical staff, retains a house in the area and popped along for some treatment on a bad back. He is reported to be enjoying a break away from football after four years living under massive pressure as boss of Celtic.

The names who are on the shortlist are being kept a closely guarded secret, but a source has told the Daily Echo that Strachan is not among them.

views on aidy boothroyd?

I reckon he would do us ok
expierenced in the lower leagues
and has good connections. Was also pleased to see Matt on sky sports
saying he is going to be talking to saints next week. Another thought
Shearer has Expressed his annoyance at being left in the dark at Newcastle
and has not travelled to dublin with the team. Keegan and Shearer what do people
think?

SaintMike wrote:On Echo website....

Bookmakers dramatically cut his odds after a flurry of bets which stemmed from him being spotted at the club's Staplewood training ground on Thursday.

But there was an innocent explanation as Strachan is still friends with the medical staff, retains a house in the area and popped along for some treatment on a bad back. He is reported to be enjoying a break away from football after four years living under massive pressure as boss of Celtic.

I have the feeling that this report could be disingenuous b/s purely because who would pop round a football club, connections or not, just for a bit of medical treatment?
Having said that, I have a feeling that we are going to end up with someone like Steve Coppell or Alan Curbishley, both who could do a good job. I'd be happy with either of those two.

I am a little bit concerned about who will succeed Wotte as our next boss.The time it is taking will leave the victor with very little time in which to see the squad and work out what is needed. Then he will almost certainly have resistance from other clubs due to the lack of time in which to find replacements.
The way things are going I shall be glad to have reached a respectable position by xmas. Then we will have the January transfer window for us to strengthen ready for a push up the table . Away from trouble or for a tilt at getting a playoff spot. I would like to say promotion but an automatic slot is a very big ask.

Would be my first choice! Bring back Gordon Strachan and I will jump for joy!

Is this Joy nice then? If she is why do you need wee Gordon?

SFC Forever wrote:Is this Joy nice then? If she is why do you need wee Gordon?

!!

I will jump for joy, and any other girls out there as well.

Moo Cow