OH, WHEN THE SAINTS GO MOUTHING OFF...

VERY occasionally, the good Lord smiles down on everyone.

And so he did this week. On me.

At 9.32am on Thursday, an email from ESPN dropped into my inbox, giving details of an interview with Southampton chairman

You’ve got no chance with that one. The fit and proper persons’ test was dreamed up to prevent a string of chancers, blaggards and fantasists from wreaking havoc. The powers-that-be Ralph Krueger (right) in the wake of the Sam Allardyce’s exit.

In it, the Saints’ boss described both his dismay – and his club’s – at the unfolding scandal.

“Our whole board is shocked and upset by it,” he whined.

“Southampton is built

Furthermore, just in case you think there is a weak link somewhere, there is an unspoken code which ensures no one steps out of line.

If you do break ranks, well the world of football is great at ensuring there is no way back.

Which is why managers such as Allardyce will be given another crack. He’s taken his medicine, has Sam. In on a completely honest and open culture and on values. The reason I took this job was the unbelievable value structure and foundation of our owner Katharina Liebherr.

“I have embraced this... and that is why we are extremely upset.” Thirteen hours later, news broke that the Saints’ assistant manager Eric Black (far right) was unmasked as the sting’s latest victim.

That’s Southampton’s assistant manager – employed by Southampton FC, either on a freelance, contract or staff basis – to help head coach Claude Puel.

Krueger’s response? “It’s a personal issue for him,” said this glorious defender of the Premier League’s club’s ‘values’, “it has absolutely nothing to do with us.”

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