|
Jan Poortvliet free to take charge of
Southampton
Times
Online
Saturday 26 July 2008
Jan Poortvliet is free to take
charge of Southampton after the Dutch Football Association
ruled that Southampton must pay Helmond Sport £60,000
in compensation.
The 52-year-old coach signed a
deal with the Championship club last month despite having
a year to run on his contract with Jupiler League side
Helmond Sport. Poortvliet, who took charge of training
at Southampton earlier this week, was pleased to put
the month-long saga behind him.
"Of course I am relieved that
everything is done now," he said.
"But I am disappointed that
we needed an arbitration case to come to this conclusion."
"This is my only chance to
become a top coach. In Holland I have a certain image,
which I will never lose. In England I would like to
have a fresh start."
Mario Captein, the Helmond director,
was in philosophical mood after the hearing and warned
the decision could set a dangerous precedent.
"We wanted to go on with Poortvliet,"
he said.
"But at a certain point it
is better for both parties to go their own way. This
decision provides a license for all coaches who want
to leave their club. All you have to do is start a job
somewhere else,” he added.
|
