Sun 3rd May - The City Ground
Last updated: 26th June 2008
Southampton: Poortvliet boost
Jan Poortvliet has been given the green light to take charge of Southampton following a ruling from the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Saints announced that Poortvliet would be their new head coach last month, although he still had a year to run on his contract with Helmond Sport.
The Jupiler League side were not keen to allow the 52-year-old to walk away and took their case to the KNVB arbitrary board.
A hearing has now cleared the way for Poortvliet to take the helm at St Mary's Stadium, with Saints to pay Helmond 75,000 euros (£60,000) in compensation.
Poortvliet, who took charge of training with Southampton earlier this week, was happy to put the 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."
Helmond director Mario Captein was in philosophical mood but warned the decision 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."
He added: "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."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Bournemouth vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 14th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Cheltenham vs Southampton |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Southampton |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 12:45 | Southampton vs Millwall |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Southampton vs Northampton |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Huddersfield vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Swindon vs Southampton |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Brentford |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Stockport vs Southampton |
| Saturday 5th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Colchester |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Charlton vs Southampton |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Yeovil |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Carlisle vs Southampton |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Southampton vs Bristol Rovers |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 15:00 | Southampton vs Gillingham |
| Friday 9th October | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Southend vs Southampton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 3 - 1 Southampton | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 2 Burnley | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Wed 2 - 0 Southampton | |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 0 Crystal Palace | |
| Friday 10th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Wolverhampton 3 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Watford 2 - 2 Southampton | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 3 Charlton | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Blackpool 1 - 1 Southampton | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 0 - 0 QPR | |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 1 Derby | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Ipswich 0 - 3 Southampton | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 0 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 3 - 1 Preston | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 2 - 0 Southampton | |
| Tuesday 3rd February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 2 Sheff Utd | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 2 - 2 Swansea | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Norwich 2 - 2 Southampton | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 2 Doncaster | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 0 - 1 Southampton | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Tranmere Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Walsall | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Yeovil Town | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Southampton | 0 | -10 |
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Southampton boss Mark Wotte has confirmed Stern John is back at the club to try to earn a new contract.
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
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