STEVE WIGLEY has conceded that his future as Saints head-coach is now out of his hands.

The Premier League have said that he will become ineligible for the job within three months because he does not hold the UEFA pro-licence.

They have apparently given Saints December 15 as the deadline day.

Saints are understood to have signed up to the updated rules during the summer - a document signed by all the chairmen including Rupert Lowe - but have appealed against the three-month decision.

Though Wigley has been in charge since August 23, the three-month timescale started last week when the Premier League made the decision following discussions with the League Managers Association.

Wigley, whose Saints team were beaten 2-1 at St Mary's by Newcastle yesterday to remain fourth from bottom, accepts it is impossible for him to be fast-tracked on the year-long course within the Premier League timescale.

He said: "They are saying that you must have the pro-licence to manage in the Premier League.

"I've been accepted on the course now and it takes 12 months to complete. I will do the residential at the end of July - that's the bit I've missed.

"It's not a coaching qualification as such where you pass and fail. It's more an attendance-based course and I'm looking to complete it.

"I will definitely have to do the year. If you are a manager in place I think you are allowed about four of five years to do it.

"But if you are an incumbent like myself it's slightly different.

"There have been precedents with other people, with Chris Coleman and Eddie Gray."

Saints have picked up just one point in four games since Paul Sturrock left by mutual consent and Wigley insists he must only allow himself to be concerned by footballing issues.

He said: "I'm not worried about it in the least. I am going to take the course, I am on it, but I've got bigger problems in terms of getting more points on the table.

"My job is to prepare the team for games, I'll leave everything else to the politicians and the people who make the rules to sort out.

"There are varied opinions on it. All I've got to do at the minute is concern myself with Southampton Football Club, coaching the team and picking the team.

"I can't bother myself with the other side of it really because I will just get into a debate about it.

"I can't change anything and I can't be sidetracked with things like that.

"What's most important is getting a few results. Performances and results are the key to everything.

"All that will happen is it will go away and rear its head later on.

"All I can really bother myself and concern myself with is games."

League Managers Association chairman John Barnwell said: "Rupert Lowe, as a Premier League chairman, must have signed up to the regulation only a matter of months ago. We all know the rules and, after all, the whole point of the licence is to produce better qualified managers, which will benefit everybody."

All Lowe has said on the matter is: "We are talking to the Premier League about the issue and those discussions are private, but we are very hopeful this matter can be resolved."

The Premier League are currently considering Saints' appeal.