Ex-Toon Coach Gets The Boot At Southampton!

Last Updated : 30-May-2008 by
Pearson left Newcastle under circumstances that had many fans wondering if the Saints had "tapped him", which is quite ridiculous because we could end up in hot water for even suggesting such things went on at St Mary's.

But, none-the-less, it did cross our minds.

However ... he didn't last very long in the hot seat, and he was probably lucky to last as long as he did, because he had the club just a matter of minutes away from relegation.

Poortvliet played for Holland in the 1978 World Cup final,

Chairman Michael Wilde: "We are extremely grateful for Nigel's contribution. He came to the club at a time of crisis and through his hard work and commitment we were able to avoid relegation on the last day.


"However, the board have been looking closely at the situation on the playing side of the club whereby we are inevitably going to have to depend to a large extent on the quality of our youngsters in the academy and the reserve team.

"Our view on that was we would need to adopt a European-style coaching system comprising head coach, with the objective of linking the academy to the first team.

"The board believe this will create opportunities for our younger players, which might not occur within the traditional English management structure."