Shock news from St Mary's with the announcement that Ralph Krueger will be departing St Mary's.

Saints issued the following statement this mornning.

Southampton Football Club can today confirm the departure of Chairman Ralph Krueger.

Following recent talks with shareholders Mr Gao and Katharina Liebherr, it was agreed by all parties that Ralph’s contract would not be extended beyond its end date of June 30th.

The shareholders and everyone involved with the club would like to put on record their thanks for Ralph's leadership, dedication and hard work over his six years with Southampton.

At the end of the season the club will release more information about the future leadership structure. However, for now, all our efforts and focus are on a strong finish to the season and remaining within the Premier League.

Mr Gao said:

"Ralph represented our club with honour and integrity, and followed The Southampton Way with great passion. We thank him for the foundations he has helped to build and wish him well for the future."

Katharina Liebherr added:

"Ralph laid the foundations for the Saints to be a sustainable team that put pressure on the top sides in the Premier League.

“He was a true leader who fully embodied The Southampton Way, a culture which will live on strongly beyond his time as Chairman. I, along with my family, will always be grateful for all that Ralph has done for the club."

Ralph Krueger said:

“Everything has a beginning and everything has an end. It is the journey in-between that I will treasure. Thank you Southampton Football Club for the journey.”

The Ugly Inside Reaction Will Be Posted Shortly.

Photo: Action Images

bstokesaint added 11:28 - Apr 12 Let’s not kid ourselves. He’s been forced out. I know Ralph has his critics, but in the main he’s guided us through a decent period. If anyone wasn’t concerned before they should be now as the Chinese quietly continue to take further control behind the scenes at St Mary’s.
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Sanguin added 11:42 - Apr 12 What the hell is this xenophobic nonsense? The statement makes it clear it was a Board decision not to renew his contract, so yes he’s been forced out. But a Chinese person, Gao, owns the club so I don’t think this is a demonstration of him having any more control than he already has. I think Krueger’s done well and spoken openly and honestly when given the opportunity, his main role has been to oversee and grow the commercial side of the club. We don’t know why this decision was made, but the end of Krueger’s contract seems like a perfectly appropriate opportunity to consider a new direction, regardless of the nationality of who owns the club.

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SaintBrock added 13:13 - Apr 12 He was Kat's man so maybe there is more to come out. He performed badly when it came to his judgement and management of direct subordinates such as Reed and the commercial side of the business hasn't taken off at all; worst still we are likely to lose Virgin Media in the summer. All in all that is not the sort of stuff you want on your CV as a Chairman. On balance he probably wasn't very good at his job and once the Leibherr umbrella turned inside out and the Gao Dynasty had had a good look at him, his days were numbered.

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BoondockSaint added 14:07 - Apr 12 Couldn't they have waited until the stress of the relegation issue is over? From their statements, he was great---so why let him go? If he was so bad that they want to get rid of him, why was he not given the boot the same time as Les? Then again, maybe he got tired of having to spout corporate double-talk instead of really answering questions because the owners didn't want him to. Translation of Kat's statement: "Put pressure on the top sides" = "Develop players that the top sides notice and then buy" "A sustainable team" = "Don't spend money and hope to stay in the Premier League." The BIG worry about this is that the other Ralph now does a "Pochettino" and leaves in the summer because the guy he had a good working relationship with and shared the same vision for the team's future is gone.

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