Why can't anyone have more than about three months of success at Saints without being linked away by the papers, or tempted away by other clubs?! This from the paper that (by reporting it) gives credence to the idea that Madrid are wanting to do a swap deal with Man U involving Bale for Di Maria!
I do think we need to hold on to key personnel for a while now to dispel the notion that we may be a selling club. Currently, we are popularly known as the biggest selling club in the country (despite our policy of buying in better), so not surprising that papers want to trade on that idea to punters who may believe it. How long until clubs just wait to see who our targets are before swooping in to poach them before they've even signed for us?
There is a disconnect between players from other teams that the media decide Saints view as 'targets', and real targets. Were Alderweireld, Pelle or Tadic widely touted as possible signings? Mind you, it could be a very good way of putting other clubs off the scent of genuine targets. So: I've heard from a reliable source (which may have been voices in my head) that Southampton are desperate to re-sign Dejan Lovren There, that should get some clubs (Spurs, Arsenal) into a bidding war, before Saints snap up yet another brilliant signing
Backed up by the odds: if there was even the slightest chance that Hiddink could go in the next few days, with Koeman as the target to replace him, he wouldn't be 100/1 as the next manager to depart. Just isn't happening.
As I've said several times before, we should get some positive fictional Saints rumours going to counteract the negative bull. I have some early experience of this and it does work. With the social media around us today rumours can be planted and urged on like a gardener growing a seed. All it takes is the will to do it.
There are maximum 5 clubs in the world who are not "selling" clubs: Real Barca Chelsea City Bayern (maybe PSG) And some of them have to sell or loan out players to balance books for FFP
I overheard two people chatting here the other day that LVG would be approached to return to do the job he was doing up to the World Cup. They seemed to think he would be free in a few months. (But keep it quiet and don't tell the Daily Fail or Mirror, because I wouldn't want to upset the fans of any big clubs by starting rumours of unsettling the supporters of the big four). Note to the Daily Fail or Mirror (if you are reading this), kan eye ave a job as a sports righter as any unedyoucated fool kan right the garbage you create as proven above.
When the idea of Ronald taking the Holland job came up a few weeks ago, a pundit who knew him (Gullit, I think) said that he never creates a fuss joining a club or leaving it, so I took that to mean that he was an honourable man.
Well he's already said tough toenails to them before, so I can't see that he would have changed his mind. Especially when he has a chance to make history in the Premier League. Plus, if Saints qualify for the CL, he isn't exactly going to give that up either. Look elsewhere, I would say. besides, there's dozens of good Dutch managers around. Ask Ruud Gullit again.
They clearly haven't done their homework, A lot has to happen before that would be even feasible. I'll line up the scenario that has to happen before Koeman is even in the picture of becoming the next Dutch manager. All these have to happen in this exact order. 1. Latvia wins or draws against The Netherlands in the Amsterdam Arena 2. Guus Hiddink resigns or has to be sacked, given his contract, only the first is affordable for the KNVB(Dutch FA) 3. Danny Blind disbands his contractual agreement with the Dutch FA to be next in line when Guus Hiddink is no longer manager 4. Bert van Oostveen(KNVB Director) has to be sacked or needs to resign(for Ronald Koeman will never work for the Dutch FA as long as Van Oostveen is still at the helm). 5. A new FA director has to be appointed 6. The KNVB has to have the funds to buy off Ronald Koeman's contract. 7. Ronald Koeman is actually willing to break his contract with Southampton. 8. The KNVB needs to approach him for the job. If you think that point 1 is already extremely unlikely...
There you go, stand down again people. I'm going to nickname you Cove The Antidote [to newspaper garbage].
I attempted to post the following comment on the express article, surprisingly they would not accept it. He has defied the odds to lead Saints into second place, despite a summer of turmoil in which they lost some of their major stars. And by writing this tale of pure speculation you are attempting to continue that cycle of turmoil. Go out of your office and find some real stories to report on.
Point 6 is a very key one. If poch had to pay 2m to terminate 1 year then it will be close to 6m for koeman if not more. Interested in point 4. Why does koeman have such a negative relationship with the guy?
Point 7 is the clincher. He wants to stay at Saints. None of the rest even matter until he says he may be persuaded.
