"well as no one else has mentioned it, and our local paper only like to print the `meltdown` rumours, I thought I would bring this article to everyone`s attention.

http://www.express.c
o.uk/sport/football/
479575/Ronald-Koeman
-promised-50m-transf
er-kitty-as-Saints-c
lose-in-on-Pochettin
o-replacement

the sunday express are saying that ronald koeman is on a short list of just 2 managers being considered. they are also saying that they want to install a manager this week. added to that the new manager ill be given, has been promised, a transfer kitty of £50mill+ any player sales.

if this is true, and I don't know if it is or not, then MP leaving had nothing to do with funds available or, as RK said, the wish to challenge for European football. the only reasons left for MP`s departure is he either didn't want to stay after NC left or he was just using us as a stepping stone to a `bigger` club, I personally don't see spuds as a bigger club though. again if this is true there is nothing he board could have done to keep him, they apparently offered more wages than spuds (£6mill a year) and just as big if not bigger transfer funds. it also ends the `NC left because KL was cutting back on expenditure` rumours. its more likely that NC left because, as was stated at the time, NC wanted total control and didn't want a board with KL`s involvement. everyone knows he saw the club as his `baby` and perhaps he wasn't willing to share the parental responsibilities. KL might not have been happy with the overspend on staplewood and perhaps she just wanted a say in how her money was being spent."