DEFIANT Dave Jones says he can't wait to get back to Southampton.

The new Wolves boss today vowed to put behind him the most traumatic 12 months of his life and make a quick return to the Premiership.

The former Saints boss, returning to football management just 29 days after clearing his name from allegations of child abuse, said that returning to Southampton with Wolves in the top flight will be his motivation - not vengeance.

"I won't get any greater pleasure than when I take my team back to Southampton," he said. "That will be the most satisfying moment."

Jones added: "The way I left Southampton is history now and water under the bridge.

"There's a lot of politics in football and I understand the reason Southampton did what they did. It was not a very nice thing to be associated with.

"But the support I received from people around the world has been phenomenal, especially those in Southampton.

"It is a great credit to them that throughout my ordeal, my six-year-old kid never knew anything about what was going on."

Jones has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at Molineux.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe renewed his blast at the legal process which effectively cost Dave Jones his job at The Dell and left Saints around £750,000 out of pocket.

He said: "I am genuinely delighted that Dave is back in football and everyone at The Dell wishes him well.

"After what has been a nightmare year for him and his family it is only right and fitting that he should make a return and resume his career.

"The whole saga though raises serious concerns about the State and the accountability of those who operate as the State when they bring a case like the one against Dave which collapsed in less than a week.

"It was extremely expensive for him and for Southampton Football Club and for the taxpayer and I seriously hope there will be a thorough review.

"If things were not done properly then those people should be effectively retrained or removed."