League One - Wotte stays as Southampton boss

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 17:39:00 2009

Southampton boss Mark Wotte has agreed to stay on in charge of the struggling South Coast club

FOOTBALL Southampton manager Mark Wotte, who agreed to stay at the cash-stricken club - 0

Wotte, who took over from fellow Dutchman Jan Poortvliet in January but could not stop Saints sliding into League One, was out of contract at St Mary's but has now been asked to continue in the role.

Wotte said: "I am very happy to stay. I didn't want to leave while we are in such a difficult situation and I want to stick with the players and the staff at this great club and continue our preparations for life in League One."

Saints have also confirmed Michael Svensson, the popular former centre-half, will remain as Wotte's assistant.

The Matt Le Tissier-backed Pinnacle consortium who were bidding to take over the debt-ridden Saints were thought to want to appoint a new manager, but they pulled out of the running earlier this week.

PA Sport

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  1. It maybe the shortest contract of all time, three days.­ We could go under come Friday, however im now hoping­ that with the sale of the players may starve off the­ creditors for another week or two.
    I agree with roger,­ top bloke when it comes to loyalty, which is a rare­ comodity these days, and I agree that when and if we­ get taken over, he is kept on with saints for the­ loyalty he has shown.

    From Julie, on Thu 2 Jul 10:54AM
  2. i do admire his loyalty but he didnt make good­ decitions with the subs he made who he played for­ instance when saints played palace he brought on­ schneiderlin for lallana that is a mistake and he isnt­ staying for deffinate as soon as the new owners come in­ he could still go

    From c_jolliffe, on Wed 1 Jul 6:16PM
  3. What a guy, he could of walked away but he hasn't,­ and I think he's done a pretty good job managing so­ far! Thanks Mark, just a shame the damage Jan did was­ too deep to repair quick enough!

    From ngspuduk, on Wed 1 Jul 4:20PM
  4. Wotte is a Top bloke. It rare to see loyalty these­ days. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Wotte and­ he is a real gent.. WHEN a buyer is found (im still­ confident) i hope a position within the club is found­ for him. Many managers would have walked but not our­ Mark. It was not his fault we got relegated, the­ damage was done long before mark took over.
    He had no­ money what so ever to work with !

    If a new English­ manager takes over it will probably be because of there­ contacts, i hope mark can assist and gain his own­ english contacts for the future.

    Mark Wotte is true­ red and white.

    From roger m, on Wed 1 Jul 3:43PM
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