Strachan ends Saints stay

GORDON STRACHAN walked away from Southampton three months ahead of schedule yesterday in a move which is bound to increase speculation that Glenn Hoddle will return to the south coast club.

Former Manchester United and Leeds midfielder Strachan, 47 earlier this week, was due to leave St Mary's at the end of the season to spend more time with his family.

However, a mutual decision made with chairman Rupert Lowe led to the Scot's early departure and he said his farewells to the players and coaching staff this morning, making way for Steve Wigley, who has been named as first-team coach until the end of the season.

A statement from Lowe read: "Following the recent disclosure in January that Gordon Strachan will not be renewing his contract beyond the end of this season for personal reasons, the club has become the focus of a great deal of speculation about his likely successor."

"Gordon and I met yesterday and have both concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for him to step down as manager with effect from today."

"Gordon has done a great job for us during his two-and-a-half-year tenure and unusually in football, leaves us on the very best of terms. He and his family will always be welcome at our club while I remain chairman."

"I have spoken to Steve Wigley and he has agreed to take charge of the first team until the end of the season."

Only on Thursday Lowe took the unusual step of speaking to the media to explain that former boss Hoddle, who walked out to take charge of Tottenham three years ago, will be considered for a return despite vocal resistance from the club's supporters.

Southampton have made a habit of cutting against the grain with their appointments in recent times: Dave Jones was plucked from Stockport, Hoddle was handed a return to football following his departure from the England job and Stuart Gray was given his head despite no previous managerial experience.

In fact, Strachan was something of a surprise choice when he replaced Gray at the helm in October 2001 with the Saints next to bottom in the Premiership, having been relegated with Coventry a matter of months earlier.

But he revived their fortunes as Southampton finished 11th and took the club back into Europe for the first time in 19 years this season by virtue of last May's appearance in the FA Cup final.

Southampton have taken just five points from eight matches either side of Strachan's revelation that he would not be staying on.

Strachan said: "This is a truly great club with a truly great squad of professionals and it is with regret that I am leaving for my own reasons.