Woodward may sue Saints bidder

Southampton director of football Clive Woodward is considering taking legal action against allegations he does not have the respect of the first team squad.

Hampshire businessman Andrew Strode-Gibbons, who is heading a consortium which plans to replace club chairman Rupert Lowe, made claims about Woodward’s standing among the players.

Now the Rugby World Cup-winning coach is looking closely at exactly what Strode-Gibbons said.

“I have to be careful what I say because it has gone to the lawyers,” Woodward told The Guardian.

“That was the first time I have felt real negativity and it shocked me.

“I believe in freedom of speech but not if it’s not based on fact. And, as far as I could see, that was not.”