Woodward not ready to take Saints job

Former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward has distanced himself from the Southampton manager’s job, claiming he is not ready to make the step up.

Former England rugby coach Clive Woodward has distanced himself from the Southampton manager’s job, claiming he is not ready to make the step up.

Woodward has been at Saints in a backroom capacity as performance director and has been immediately linked with the post after Harry Redknapp’s shock departure.

Now with Redknapp being tipped to return to Portsmouth, Woodward’s name is in the frame to move up at St Mary’s.

But Woodward said on Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme: “It is nonsense and not factual to say I have been given the job.

“It is up to the board but it is just too early for me, I have always said that. I do not think I am ready for the manager’s role.

“I am learning and meeting a lot of good people like (Crystal Palace manager) Iain Dowie. Alan Pardew has invited me to West Ham to see how things work there, I just need more time.

“If I get that time I think can do the job, but I have to learn the job first.”

Woodward insists he is sorry to see Redknapp go and maintains he had a good working relationship with the former West Ham boss.

He said: “I was disappointed to see Harry go, he spoke to me on Thursday and told me what was potentially happening and I was sorry to see him go despite what one or two people have said, we got on really well.

“It took us all by surprise and I know the chairman was sorry to see him go, we all are. But we have just to move on from here.

“There will be a board meeting some time next week. The key thing is they take their time and make sure they make the right decision with the right people in charge.

“They have had a lot of managers in the last few years and they have to get this right.

“It is not a time to panic, but take time and make the right decision to move the club forward.

“Dave Bassett and Dennis Wise did a great job on Saturday and they will continue to do that.”

He added: “I was grateful for Harry allowing me to come in and the coaches (Bassett) and Kevin Bond have been brilliant with me.

“I am enjoying what I do. The longer I am in it the more I have a role to play.

“I will carry on with what I am doing now. I am doing a lot of work behind the scenes and on football and I want to continue that. I am enjoying that and have a lot of backing at Southampton.”

Woodward continued: “There has been a lot of reasons for people coming and going – I wouldn’t say there has been mistakes.

“It is crucial now there is real stability and a manager must have a long-term contract to allow him to rebuild the club. You need real stability to get back into the Premiership.

“There’s a lot of good things at Southampton, the players, the coaches, the academy, it is a great place to be.

“I hope who ever they bring in I can work with that person. There’s a lot of people who will want the job because it is a good club and I am looking forward to working with whoever it is.

“If we make the right decision we can get the club back into the Premiership but at the moment we mustn’t panic and keep a level head before making the right call.”