Koeman
Koeman named new Saints boss.

Southampton have named Ronald Koeman their new manager.

The Dutchman has signed a three year contract at St Mary's and will replace Mauricio Potchettino who stepped down as manager to take over at Tottenham Hotspur last month.

"I am thrilled to be the manager of Southampton Football Club," Koeman said via the club's website.

"The opportunity to continue the development of this famous football club was simply too good to turn down.

"From my very first meeting with Les Reed, I could see clearly that this was the right club for me.

"We share the same philosophy of football, and the same belief in how to develop the club."

Koeman, who stepped down as Feyenoord manager after guiding the club to second in the Eredivisie last season, will be joined by his brother Erwin as assistant manager after he left his post at RKC Waalwijk.

The club have also appointed Jan Kluitenerg as a first team coach.

Executive director Les Reed said of the appointment: "In appointing Ronald we have concluded our search for a manager who shares our values and vision for the future of Southampton Football Club.

"As part of our ongoing scouting process, we have been following the development of Ronald's coaching career for some time and, through a more formal process this month, immediately identified him as our number-one choice.

"From the moment we met with Ronald, it was clear he had the vision and ambition to take our club forward, that he shared our football philosophy and could see the opportunity to move our club to the next level.

"The club, the players and the fans will all be excited to have a man of Ronald's experience at the very highest level joining our club.

"Ronald's passion for the opportunity here at St Mary's was very clear, and we look forward to continuing our growth with him as part of our team."

One of Koeman's first challenges on the south coast will be convincing a number of first team players to remain at the club. Following a number of bids from their coveted stars Southampton announced last month they would not partake in any transfer business, incoming or outgoing, until they had named their new manager.

Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw remain intensely linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, while Dejan Lovren, Morgan Schneiderlin and Calum Chambers have also attracted the attention of clubs higher up in the league.