I have to be careful what I say because it has gone to the lawyers. That was the first time I have felt real negativity and it shocked me.

I have received no official approach, I have a contract with Southampton and I'm enjoying myself in football.

Something must have gone badly wrong behind the scenes for him to have stepped down. I can see him being the sort of person who wouldn't mess around if something wasn't to his liking - or things were going on - because the job obviously becomes untenable if things are not right behind the scenes.

We are going to need big characters out there who can dig deep and show real fight and courage. Gareth is just such a character.

He will have complete control of team selection, tactics and coaching issues. I will concentrate on strategic issues that affect the club in less obvious but equally important ways.

Of course, I've still got ambitions along those lines, but that still some way off yet, at least two or three years.