GEORGE Burley says he wants to stay at Saints "for a long, long time".

Burley appeared to throw his support behind under fire club chairman Rupert Lowe when they appeared at a hastily convened press conference together this morning.

While Lowe's future is far from certain with the forthcoming EGM hanging over the club, Burley revealed that he could have moved elsewhere this summer had he been unhappy with the situation at St Mary's.

"I firmly believe with the chairman and the board everybody is going in the right direction," said Burley.

"For this club stability is the key. There might have been opportunities in the summer if I wasn't happy at Southampton I could have maybe moved somewhere else.

"I'm thinking this is a long-term job. I was seven and a half years at Ipswich and I would love to think I would have that type of period again at Southampton. It's exciting times."

He added: "I'm very comfortable with the chairman he has given me his full support."

Burley was in relaxed and positive mood after a summer break as he appeared alongside Lowe. And in what was a review of his first six months he urged stability to ensure Saints can achieve at least a top six finish next season.

"If you look at clubs change is not a good thing," he said.

"Next season is such an important time for the club with the parachute payment. We've got money and good players coming through, so I think with that stability we went in the right direction in the last six months and now we want to continue it moving forward.

"Hopefully in the next three or four weeks we are going to bring players in of the calibre that's going to say hey this team is going to get in the Premiership next season."

Lowe was in agreement adding: "We both thought it was important that we got together today, ten days before the season starts, to say that we believe the best interests of the club are served by it's stability and continuity.

"Having done the hard work we want to be given a chance to show the club can achieve re-promotion this year, which is our best chance. Further change at boardroom level is not going to be helpful."

For a full analysis of today's press conference see tomorrow's Daily Echo.