Sir Clive Woodward confirmed as Technical Director

Last updated : 25 July 2005 By Chris C

The knives have been out in the press over the past week with stories of an upset Harry on the verge of walking out because of the pending arrival of the man with the funny shaped balls.

With signs that the club are at last learning how to deal with the media, these stories were dealt with through a firm rebuttal, as both Harry, Sir Clive and Rupert Lowe all sang from the same hymn sheet.

First, Sir Clive: “My role is very clear, I am working for Harry Redknapp but I will not be coaching the team.”

Then, Rupert Lowe: “Harry has been kept very clearly informed and has signed up to it at every step of the way. I am excited by this, Clive is excited by it and Harry is excited by it.”

And of course Harry himself, who was in bullish mood: “It is nonsense to say I am going to walk out. If I wanted to do that I would have gone in the summer. I've said before that I don't have a problem with Clive coming in. He is not going to interfere with what I do.”

Let’s hope that this puts much of our recent negative coverage to bed for a while at least. The situation wasn’t helped by the drip feed of information from the club which inevitably led to speculation when perhaps the intention was to get supporters and the wider footballing fraternity used to the idea over time.

Sir Clive’s precise role was clarified after more negative speculation with the Saints website confirming that he is ‘looking to learn the ropes from Harry Redknapp and his coaching team - but will have an input on the sports science and organisational side.’

As long as Harry is happy and Sir Clive can impart his winning mentality to the club, then this is a move to be welcomed.

Fans will be hoping for more high profile arrivals on the playing side with clear indications that Saints are ready to bring in new signings this week. Harry is keen to bring in at least four new recruits with the priority being two strikers, a central defender and a left-sided player.