Southampton have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League, a privilege that was supposed to be reserved for a small élite of top clubs. They do not have a rich benefactor. So how have they done it?
A lot of it is down to the right structure so that the departure of key personnel can be coped with. The emphasis is on long-term planning and a refusal to be knocked off course.
Southampton have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League, a privilege that was supposed to be reserved for a small élite of top clubs. They do not have a rich benefactor. So how have they done it?
A lot of it is down to the right structure so that the departure of key personnel can be coped with. The emphasis is on long-term planning and a refusal to be knocked off course.
They have not been afraid to spend money on players, but they have not mortgaged their future. Even when they raised £110m in sales last summer, £30m of that was put aside to ensure that the club’s bank balance remained healthy.
They have also not relied on ‘proven’ Premier League players who can be expensive and often disappoint. They have been willing to shop in unfashionable markets such as Austria, the Netherlands and Romania.
Even if they miss out on the Champions League, they seem to have found a formula for solid success.