All change at Southampton

Last updated : 30 May 2008 By Tony Scholes
It seems only five minutes ago that, out of the blue, they appointed Nigel Pearson who had just left his job as assistant manager at Newcastle. It was a shock decision that didn't go down too well with the fans some of whom were apparently hoping for the appointment of Micky Adams.

Pearson arrived as recently as February but he'll have received a shock this morning when he learned that his contract won't be renewed when it expires next month, and that he's already been replaced by a former Dutch international from the 1978 World Cup.

The new man in charge is Jan Poortvliet and he will be assisted by Mark Wotte who we are told was close to landing the manager's job there when 'Arry Redknapp went missing in December 2005 and before the job went to George Burley.

Poortvliet was capped 25 times by Holland and he played in that dramatic final in 1978 against Argentina whilst Wotte played league football for Feyenoord.

New chairman Michael Wilde, colleague of Lowe, said: "Jan has extensive experience as a coach, he was a top class player and played with Johann Cruyff. He is very familiar with what has become to be known as the total football style of play."

Poortvliet and Wotte plan to play the tradition Dutch style of football, building from the back with a neat, technical passing game fired by talented young players who can outrun and outwork the opposition.

Wilde finally added: "They are prepared to come to Southampton on favourable terms financially."

Poortvliet has previously managed Den Bosch, Roosendaal and Stormvogels Telstar.