George Burley says he can see a bit of himself in Jason Dodd.
Both men were right-backs who spent a long time playing with one club - Dodd had 16 years as a Saint while Burley spent 14 years playing at Ipswich.
At a young age both knew they wanted to go into coaching after hanging up their boots and both were ambitious and enthusiastic enough to get good opportunities quickly.
So, after meeting Dodd to speak about the vacant first team coach role following Glynn Snodin's defection to West Ham, it was no surprise that Burley offered him the job.
He said: "I always say full back's an intelligent position so you've got to know the game.
"It's not a bad thing being a coach and a full back and in Jason I can see a little bit of myself.
"I was at Ipswich for 14 years and was a similar type of player - enthusiastic, wanted to continue playing as long as possible.
"I can see things in Jason and as a full back and the type of player he was as well in myself."
Burley has lost Simon Hunt as chief scout as well as first team coach Snodin this summer.
But has replaced them with John Gorman and Dodd and is happy with his backroom team.
"It was a big blow over the summer losing my chief scout and my first team coach who were both very good personal friends of myself, but we move on," Burley reflected.
"I was very pleased to bring John Gorman in, who I also know very well.
"I was then looking for somebody young, enthusiastic. I spoke to a few people and Jason fits that bill.
"He was at Southampton 16 years, knows the place inside out, been brought up here and was working at Eastleigh.
"So it was a case of talking to Eastleigh and then Jason if he was interested and he was very keen to come.
"I'm very pleased to bring somebody so well known at Southampton into my backroom staff."
As for Dodd's day-to-day role, Burley explained: "Jason will be working with myself and other members of the backroom staff.
"It's similar to most first team coaches.
"I enjoy coaching myself so it's a case of both working together as a team - that's the key.
"Jason's young and enthusiastic and I'm sure he'll play a big part in trying to improve the players."
Burley added: "When you lose a first team coach like Glynn it's a blow but you've got to look ahead.
"I wanted a young coach, somebody who's enthusiastic and with Jason having the knowledge of the club of being here 16 years and being captain for a number of years is a big bonus.
"The bottom line is he's keen to work with the players and improve them and help out everybody he can at the club."
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