Risky business as clubs want more than just stability

When Southampton’s then-chief executive Nicola Cortese sacked Nigel Adkins in January 2013, it was described as a brutal and bizarre betrayal.

Adkins had won back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League, Southampton were unbeaten in five matches and had just drawn against Chelsea. But Cortese wanted to see progression not stasis, and so he appointed Mauricio Pochettino.

Since then, Southampton has established itself as a top-flight side and become a model club in many ways: in recruitment, they buy low and sell high (usually to Liverpool) and in player development, there is a regular talent-train getting opportunities in the first team. Other clubs aspire to this model. Southampton’s approach to coaches is also proving an inspiration.