RUPERT LOWE has spoken of his "disappointment" that Gordon Strachan will leave Saints - but praised his contribution to the club.

"Obviously people are disappointed, we have come a long way in eight years and we have come a long way in two and a bit years under Gordon," he said.

"Everyone has enjoyed his passion, his enthusiasm, his coaching. I have a great relationship with him. I've certainly learnt a lot from him about football, which I'm grateful for.

"We are always striving for continuity and in that respect we are obviously sad.

"Naturally we are disappointed, but at the end of the day everyone is in charge of their own destiny.

"If someone makes a decision they think is right for them, for whatever reason, it is important to respect it."

Lowe said Strachan had previously indicated he would not sign a new contract, but admitted he was only certain of his decision last week.

"It's something we have been talking about for some time because naturally we have been pushing him to sign a new contract, as you would expect," said Lowe.

"He conclusively made his mind up in the very recent past. I think he had made a commitment to his family. I have had an idea but definitively only known this week.

"It is a people business. At the end of the day, home is where the heart is.

"If people do not want to be doing something, it is not my job to force them to do it against their will."

Lowe praised the way Strachan and the club had handled Friday's news.

"It is an unusual situation," he said.

"I've never known an announcement to be made in such a comprehensive way where everyone says such good things about what they have done for each other.

"The announcement now clarifies the situation.

"It is important in this business that the people who care deeply about the club - as long as it doesn't hurt the club - that they know what is happening.

"He has said some extremely complimentary things about the club, myself and how he has enjoyed working in Southampton.

"For those conspiracy theorists who are trying to read more into it than there is, what has been said is the truth.

"There really isn't anything Machiavellian at all. It is as has been stated. I'm extremely grateful and proud of the way Gordon handled it. He told everyone the truth and he has basically made a decision.

"Everyone now is aware of the decision and both Gordon and I are comfortable with the decision."

He added: "He has made it clear the reasons why he has done it. I'm clear as to the reasons I understood and they are now public knowledge - I don't think they have been hidden."