Mauricio Pochettino sends ‘amazing’ message after confirmed Southampton news
Southampton’s summer of change is already underway as they look to return to the heights hit during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign.
Saints sunk back down to the Championship in dismal fashion last term with their points tally of 12 being the second-lowest in Premier League history, and they will look to draw a line under a turbulent season.
Will Still’s appointment at St. Mary’s is a statement of intent ahead of their return to the second-tier, and Southampton‘s squad is set to undergo significant changes after last season’s doomed transfer strategy.
Football Insider revealed on 29 May that Southampton want to sign Sturm Graz forward William Boving in a bid to return to the top-flight at the first attempt, but the Saints exit door has already been opened.
Pochettino reacts to Adam Lallana update at Southampton
Southampton have already confirmed Kyle Walker-Peters’ imminent exit at the end of this month and are keen to succeed him as soon as possible, but another departing star will be near-impossible to replace.
Adam Lallana confirmed his retirement from football on 25 June after a 19-year career bookended by two spells at St. Mary’s, and tributes have poured in for the ex-Liverpool, Brighton and England midfielder.
Another player tipped to retire this summer also sent well-wishes in the form of Ashley Young, and Lallana’s former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino has sent a message to the 37-year-old club legend.
The current USA manager tagged Lallana in a post on his Instagram story (26 June), and said: “Top player and top guy – congratulations Adam Lallana to you and your family for an amazing career”.
Southampton seek to emulate Pochettino’s rise
Football Insider Verdict
There’s little doubt that Pochettino honed his superb reputation in English football during his time on the south coast between 2013–2014, and the 53-year-old remains admired at both Saints and Tottenham.
Daniel Levy was even tipped to re-appoint Pochettino as Tottenham manager after the USMNT boss admitted his fondness for Spurs, but he instead hired Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.
Southampton may be at a low ebb rather than on the upward trajectory Pochettino took them 12 years ago, but Still has several statement transfers planned this summer as they prepare for an immediate assault on the Championship table.