I think I'd rather they didn't. It's a non-story, especially as Benfica currently have a manager. I'm sure if Benfica made an approach to Cortese, he'd be capable enough of kicking up a stink in the media if he wanted to.
Statement?! STATEMENT !?!?! Not good enough. I want Pochettino & Cortese to personally come round my house, explain the situation, light some aromatherapy candles, sooth my temple with rose water and help me hang out my soiled matteress to dry.
No approach according to the Echo "Saints are understood to have received no approach from Benfica for Mauricio Pochettino, after a report emerged that the Portuguese side had offered him a deal to become their new coach. The future of Benfica’s current boss, Jorge Jesus, beyond this summer has been a matter of some doubt, and it was said that Pochettino had been asked about taking over at the Estádio da Luz. However, the Daily Echo understands that Saints have not had an approach from the Portuguese giants, which would be the first step if they wanted to officially speak to the 41-year-old. One would not be welcomed either, with Pochettino tied down to a long-term contract at St Mary’s and having publicly committed himself to chairman Nicola Cortese’s plans for the club. Cortese would certainly not be willing to let his manager go, having put much faith in the Argentinean coach, who he believes can guide the team into Europe. Saints did not reply to a request for comment, but it is the club’s standard policy not to respond to speculation."
Not entirely sure how the Echo would know or understand anything right now. But fair enough. People will likely believe it as they want to hear this. For the record, I don't think there has been an approach.
Just read your reply to my post yesterday. I don't mean to seem negative on funds, the lingo or Poch as a manager - I am merely reserving my judgement. I'm not hung up on Adkins, but I hold him as the best manager I've seen in my 22 years as a season ticket holder in terms, of results, achievements and indeed style (we've sung "we're taking the piss" a hell of a lot in the last few years and whilst it was at a lower level, the team has grown and that style has remained). Things have changed slightly since Poch came in, but not massively and I personnally think that we'd have ended up very similar if NA had stayed - maybe lost some of the ones Poch won, and vice-versa. The summer's recruitment and next season as a whole will be the time at which we are able to judge whether we've moved forward, stood still or gone backwards. I'm more than open to give the bloke a chance applaud and support him, just think that we've all been a bit too keen to sing his name almost as if we worship him before he's proven anything. Hopefully he stays, hopefully he buys well, but not too big and not too many foreigners that could disjoint the core of our young side that has progressed so well, hopefully we will play some beautiful and successful football under him. I want all of these things as much as the next bloke. Hopefully we will grow our side as we have in recent years instead of buying success... COYR
Bloody hell - what is this guy - a journalist or l soothsayer??! Had he been to the future? One of his tweets earlier said he has some big news coming soon, re:Jim Magilton/Ipswich.
Pretty much agree with all the points here. Would like a season to properly acclimatise to Poch's high-presing style, and for him to bring in players who can facilitate that - him leaving would mean another new style, when it appears this one could well suit us. Important to project stability on the players' too, and the culture of the club. As far as it being Poch, couldn't say he's been here long enough, or quite done enough in terms of results, to make him feel indispensable, or for me to have too much of an emotional connection to - haven't heard any English from him yet, for a start - but I do like him a lot, and want him to see the project through. Plus, he would have a hell of a lot of lip service to backtrack on if he did go...
Caretaker manager? In the support of inclusion and equality, think all managers of all nations should have one of those sign language guys next to them when interviewed after the game. Mauricio can have both one of those and David.
One of the things I liked about Adkins' management was that we seemed to have pre-planned set piece routines, earlier in the season we were much more threatening from set pieces because we would mix it up. Under Pochettino we have been hopeless from set pieces offensively and defensively. During open play we have been at times very good under Pochettino, our press under Adkins didn't work whereas Pochettino's press defeated Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/southampton/id/681?cc=5739#. This chaps makes a few good points about the mental state of the av. Saints fan these days. Holds true for examples such as this.
Haha, what a brilliant article. He's right that people shouldn't believe everything they read on the internet. It would give us nothing to talk about on here though!
Yep, a very good article. There are a certain proportion of the membership who would do well to read it and take note, but for many, dare I say, the majority, it's just a good read and a sage nod of the head.
