x

Nigel Adkins Returns To Football Management

Nigel Adkins remains a big favourite amongst Saints supporters after taking us to back to back promotions, since he left Southampton he has had mixed fortunes, so we will all be pleased to hear that after a two year hiatus he is back in the game.

Charlton Athletic have appointed ex Saints manager Nigel Adkins as their new manager, the 56-year-old has agreed a two-and-half-year contract and succeeds Lee Bowyer, who left earlier this week to become Birmingham City's head coach.

Adkins has been out of work since leaving Hull City at the end of his contract in the summer of 2019.

He takes over a Charlton side who are in the final play off spot in League One, 10 points off the automatic promotion places and more importantly for Saints supporters 3 points above Portsmouth languishing in 10th position after a poor run.

It will be a tough task for Adkins to keep the Blue Few at bay, they have two games in hand and indeed having played 36 games the South London club have played more than all of their rivals.

"I believe Nigel is the perfect personality, with the perfect background and the perfect experience to get us to where we want to be," Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard told the club website.

"Both Nigel and I want us to playing football in the Premier League and I can't wait to see us there."

"It's a really exciting opportunity for me - something that has happened very quickly," Adkins said.

"I'm really pleased to be here and am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started.

"I had a conversation with Thomas and he highlighted where he wants this club to go.

"It's an exciting and long-term vision. Getting to the Premier League is something that we all want and something that I have done before. I want to achieve that again.

"The team got a great result on Tuesday night and now we need to keep driving on together, because we have got a chance of winning promotion this season."

If Nigel Adkins takes the club to the Play offs Saints fans will be delighted as it will more than likely mean that Pompey will miss out and be condemned to a tenth consecutive season in the basement of the Football League.

What to read next:

Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.
No Togetherness No Character No Fight
Not my words, but those of Southampton manager Russell Martin, who should ask himself the question why two months ago we had all those attributes and now we don't !
Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
The big question is how can a side that was so tight at the back, so clinical up front and who could pass the ball around almost with their eyes closed, become the disorganised rabble that they were at the Leicester City this evening.
Southampton Side Announced For Leicester Game
Russell Martin has revealed his side for the game against Leicester City, find out what surprises he has for Saints supporters this time out.
Southampton At Leicester City The Preview
Saints travel up to Leicester knowing that it is almost certain that they will just be in the play offs come the end of the season, however there is still the feint hope of 3rd place to play for, however the Foxes are playing for a bigger prize.
A Rough Guide To Leicester City FC
Saints head up to Leicester City this evening with their automatic promotion hopes just about over, so for the 3,000 fans who bought their tickets when there was hope here are the details.
Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
There can be no excuses for this defeat, a loss that effectively means that it will be a play off spot and not an automatic promotion place for Southampton, so where did it all go wrong.