Who's Next
Some potential candidates, then;
David Pleat
The current favourite. Well remembered for fufilling the "Director of Football" role at Tottenham for a fair few years although the fact he also stepped in as manager at one point would no doubt start the rumours about a "Perrin out" campaign flowing. This story has more legs than the others at present because, as we no doubt remember, he assisted the club in a consultancy role at the tail end of last season.
The current favourite. Well remembered for fufilling the "Director of Football" role at Tottenham for a fair few years although the fact he also stepped in as manager at one point would no doubt start the rumours about a "Perrin out" campaign flowing. This story has more legs than the others at present because, as we no doubt remember, he assisted the club in a consultancy role at the tail end of last season.
Bobby Robson
He's been suggested by some but I don't really see the point myself. Whilst he has "been there, done it" with high profile jobs like England and Barcelona, he hardly seems like he'd be willing to give up the occasional cushy media appearance to throw himself back into the game. And if he were, you'd have to say he'd probably rather be a manager rather than sitting behind the scenes.
He's been suggested by some but I don't really see the point myself. Whilst he has "been there, done it" with high profile jobs like England and Barcelona, he hardly seems like he'd be willing to give up the occasional cushy media appearance to throw himself back into the game. And if he were, you'd have to say he'd probably rather be a manager rather than sitting behind the scenes.
Kevin Keegan
A rather interesting idea suggested by a couple of websites. Once again there's the risk of appointing a former manager which could cause hints of unrest - and even if it didn't, the media would try hard to make sure it did - but this is a man who said he didn't want to be a manager anymore. Presumably because every time his team lose he looks like he's either going to cry, resign, or both. He does have a fair bit of knowledge but who knows how fans would take to his Southampton connections, even if it was well over two decades ago.
A rather interesting idea suggested by a couple of websites. Once again there's the risk of appointing a former manager which could cause hints of unrest - and even if it didn't, the media would try hard to make sure it did - but this is a man who said he didn't want to be a manager anymore. Presumably because every time his team lose he looks like he's either going to cry, resign, or both. He does have a fair bit of knowledge but who knows how fans would take to his Southampton connections, even if it was well over two decades ago.
Harry Redknapp
Stranger things have happened. Now that Velimir, frequently viewed (rightly or wrongly) as "the straw that broke the camel's back" has left, what's to say the door isn't open for Redknapp to reprise his role in the days of Rix. Admittedly a role he said he didn't have a clue what to do other than sit around and pick up his paycheque every month.
Terry Venables
He's been out of the game for a few years but is still a well known name, and what's more he's got experience with stadium building with the new Fratton End. Having said that he's another media happy egomaniac and no doubt the funds for the new ground would strangely go missing. Allegedly.
Stranger things have happened. Now that Velimir, frequently viewed (rightly or wrongly) as "the straw that broke the camel's back" has left, what's to say the door isn't open for Redknapp to reprise his role in the days of Rix. Admittedly a role he said he didn't have a clue what to do other than sit around and pick up his paycheque every month.
Terry Venables
He's been out of the game for a few years but is still a well known name, and what's more he's got experience with stadium building with the new Fratton End. Having said that he's another media happy egomaniac and no doubt the funds for the new ground would strangely go missing. Allegedly.
Milan Mandaric
He's signed us players, negotiated with agents, gone into the dressing room after the game and knocked down part of the stadium. A perfect match surely?
He's signed us players, negotiated with agents, gone into the dressing room after the game and knocked down part of the stadium. A perfect match surely?
No-one
There is a possibility that Reggie has registered discomfort with the general idea and wants to be the man in charge himself. Or perhaps the club will employ specialists for each area (training ground/youth/scouting), much like the way people like Mark Johnson and Keith Grissett have also joined the board to deal with specific areas? Or maybe Christophe Gaultier will take more of an active role in transfers.
Personally I'd say if we do appoint a DoF it's more than likely it'll be an unexpected choice or someone we haven't heard of. Even more likely than that is that there won't be so much of a song and dance over the appointment this time and whoever is brought in will just quietly join the board and get on with the job.
There is a possibility that Reggie has registered discomfort with the general idea and wants to be the man in charge himself. Or perhaps the club will employ specialists for each area (training ground/youth/scouting), much like the way people like Mark Johnson and Keith Grissett have also joined the board to deal with specific areas? Or maybe Christophe Gaultier will take more of an active role in transfers.
Personally I'd say if we do appoint a DoF it's more than likely it'll be an unexpected choice or someone we haven't heard of. Even more likely than that is that there won't be so much of a song and dance over the appointment this time and whoever is brought in will just quietly join the board and get on with the job.