RECENT letters to the Echo and some fans forum views suggest that ‘things would have been different’ had Mr Cortese stayed. I beg to differ.

Whilst I would be the first to acknowledge Mr Cortese’s one stroke of genius in bringing Pocchetino to the club, it is very easy now for him to say from the outside that management and staff would not have left on his watch.

Much as we love the Saints, the reality is that the club will be a stepping stone for upwardly mobile players or managers.

I do have reservations as to whether Poch has made the right decision. Conditions and the group of players here when he came favoured him, and he deserves considerable credit for what he has achieved. However, to duplicate that with the current Tottenham squad plus any additions may prove difficult and we all know that Mr Levy does not tolerate what he considers to be failure for very long.

As has been documented elsewhere, I think that allowing Rickie Lambert to fulfil his boyhood dream is a good move for us at £4m or thereabouts.

Strikers at the top level don’t go on forever and with Gallagher coming through, letting Ricky go after five great years is probably no bad decision.

It remains to be seen whether Poch will come knocking for any of his former players. The club are in a strong position with key players locked into long-term contracts and if bids can be resisted until after the World Cup, then there is breathing space. In reality £27m for an 18-year-old full-back is again good business if it has to be, but who knows. An early appointment of a new manager may change players’ perspectives.

Turning now to the management vacancy, the Echo of Saturday is suggesting Koeman and most players would respect his CV. David Moyes would not be the worst option as he has been used to managing Everton to top 8 finishes year on year. The key will be getting a strong manager respected in the game, that will give Southampton the credibility that they are entitled to, based upon last season’s performances and finishing position.

IAN RITCHIE, Southampton.