RUPERT LOWE has hailed the arrival of Harry Redknapp, saying he is the "right person" for the challenge ahead.

The Saints chairman dismissed suggestions Glenn Hod-dle had been his first choice, praising the experience, track-record and motivational skills of the ex-Bournemouth, West Ham and Portsmouth manager.

"Harry brings with him 900 games of management expertise and is a fabulous motivator," he said. "With the squad of players we have here, Harry is confident he can turn things around and that we can finish comfortably in mid-table.

"I wanted to get the right person and I felt that Harry had the qualities we need.

"We look to appoint the right person at the right time. We believe Harry is the right man and I'm delighted he has joined.

"I very much look forward to working with him, moving us up the table and improving on our early season form.

"We need to regroup. We have lost the habit of winning but, hopefully, Harry will bring that back and the club will be back on course.

"We are looking for someone to structure our team and play some winning football and hopefully be here for some time.

"On top of that, he brings a media presence that we hope will change the tone of the coverage the club receives."

Lowe dismissed speculation linking him with a move for Hoddle and outlined exactly how Redknapp had become Saints' new manager.

"There was a great deal of conjecture about Glenn but the board and the fans last time around made it quite clear that appointing him was not a possibility," he said.

"I discussed the job with Harry as I think he has the skills.

"I met with him at my farm on Monday evening - Harry was the person we thought was right and we only opened negotiations on Monday.

"There was nothing set up before he left Portsmouth and not any contact before then.

"I'm intending to give Milan Mandaric a call - I know him well. But I'm more interested in Southampton Football Club and the game on Saturday."

Lowe also dismissed the idea of a director of football and claimed that the change back from the title of 'head coach' to 'team manager' was not particularly important.

"We have never liked the idea of director of football," he said.

"When I first came here, there was a director of football and I spent a lot of time mediating between him and the manger.

"I think directors of football are not necessarily a great idea.

"People have become very fixated with the title. The primary role of Steve Wigley was to coach the squad and, around him, there was a whole support base.

"I think the football industry prefers to call people 'manager,' so we have called Harry our first-team 'manager'.

"What people are called is not the issue - it's what they do.

"Harry has got a great staff, he has met them all and they will be giving him support to fulfil his role in the best possible way."