Former Town boss George Burley has been appointed head coach of Southampton. Burley, sacked by the Blues in October 2002, left SPL side Hearts after a short but stormy spell earlier in the season.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, coincidentally a Town fan prior to his involvement with the Saints, said: "I am delighted with the new arrangements that were approved unanimously at today's board meeting in line with my recommendation.

"I believe that we now have a management team that will deliver stability, results and exciting football. The number and quality of candidates that Clive [Woodward, now director of football at St Mary's] and I have seen over the last two weeks have been outstanding, with George emerging as our first choice.

"In George and Clive we have got a management team of undoubted quality with strengths in complementary areas who share the same vision for Southampton FC and give us the best possible chance of returning the club to the Premier League in the shortest possible time."

Burley said "I am very pleased to come on board at St Mary's and I am looking forward to taking my first game at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.

"Southampton have an exciting young team and I believe that they should, and can, be much higher in the Championship table than they are. It's my job to make sure that this happens.

"I am delighted to accept the head coach position. I'm at my best on the training ground and my role at Southampton FC will allow me to concentrate on that. Clive and I have had detailed discussions on how we will work together and I'm excited at the prospect."

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