Has to be Lawrie for me. 1976 FA Cup and 1984 where we had a great season (League runners up by one game in points and losing cup semi finalists). As the great man said of 1984 “Aye, we had a great season…we were an inch from making it a miraculous one”
Wasn't around in Lawrie's day, but can't argue with his achievements. Followed by Adkins and Koeman. Poch quit too soon to be considered for this.
WGS for me. He was the first manager to show me that Saints could be more than relegation contenders. Gave great post match interviews too.
I have fond memories of Chris Nicoll’s time in charge, at least his first few seasons. Sacked for Branfoot, who made that decision?
Has to be Lawrie. Also Signed the Likes of Kevin Keegan and Peter Shilton for little old Southampton.
Before my time but voted mcmenemey. Modern era from 89 to now = Koeman, although he had a great squad. Adkins presided over the amazing rise to the PL but clearly not the best tactically. Strachan was also brilliant and a great character.
Has to be Lawrie for my lifetime. Fa cup winner, league cup runner up. Built a side on entertainers with Ball, Channon, Keegan, remember that fab goal against Liverpool, I think in about 1981 or so. Then build a title challenging team in 1984, with a mix of veterans (Worthington) and home grown talent, Moran and Wallace
I remember in 89/90 when that team dismantled Liverpool 4-1. Liverpool went on to claim the title. That Saints team had some threat: Shearer, LeTiss, Rod Wallace and Rideout
Yeah I remember that season Tim Flowers in goal Russell Osman Neil Ruddock the late Kevin Moore as the Centre backs. Then you had Jason Dodd and Franny Benali as the fallbacks and Jimmy Case and Barry Horne in midfield. Barry Horne was probably the best player we ever signed from the Pompey.
Has to be Lawrie for me. Had a bad start with relegation from a position that we shouldn’t have gone down, but he proved himself after that. His ability to persuade top quality international players, nearing the end of their careers to sign for “little Southampton”, was incredible. Added to that he also brought through dozens of players from the youth set up, players that were actually good enough for the top flight and better than most of what we are producing now. And him winning our only major trophy puts him on top. I was so confident that we were going to win the cup that year, that I booked time off for the semi final and final before we had played the 3rd round. God bless Hughie Fisher for his equaliser in the last minutes (iirc) in the 3rd round game at the Dell v Villa.
If it was just based on the quality of football and entertainment value then Lawrie Mac would win by a good distance but then add his results and achievements he is on another level. Ted Bates quite rightly has the soubriquet "Mr Southampton" and a statue for his unparalled service to the club and it all really started with him.
Lawrie for me, gave me the best day of my life so far, I doubt at my age there will ever be a better one.
Has to be Russell Martin. Not one of our previous managers was anywhere near as clever as Russell. Not one of our previous managers was anywhere near as brave as Russell. Not one of our previous managers was anywhere near as good at the teams at ball retention as Russell. Not one of our previous managers was anywhere near to the undefeated streak as Russell. Honestly, I’m not surprised that most of you have not understood this.
Lawrie, did not have to think too much about it. Tedd was a wonderful gentleman and performed miracles season by season, but we were so close to a league title with Lawrie - just pipped by a great Liverpool team. Not forgetting the FA Cup which was such a wonderful day. Very good times to be Saints fan... unlike now.
Difficult to separate best and favourite, and also across leagues and the relative strength of their squads. I'll also have to vote based on who I've seen, so rules out the likes of Lawrie who is probably the right answer. I think I'll have to go for Poch.
