People thought I was E.T. when I Ianded at Southampton, says ruthless chairman Cortese

By Neil Ashton

PUBLISHED: 16:57 EST, 25 July 2013 | UPDATED: 18:47 EST, 25 July 2013

Sitting on the touchline beside a tiny practice pitch at the foot of the Austrian Alps, Nicola Cortese is reminiscing about his first day as chairman of Southampton.

'When I arrived in English football with a background as a Swiss banker, people looked at me like I was an extra-terrestrial,' he admitted during Southampton's pre-season preparations.

In his time on the south coast, Cortese has developed a reputation for being ruthless: a cold, hard-nosed businessman who will never settle for second best.

Cort order: the Saints chief is keen to promote young players such as defender Calum Chambers

Cort order: the Saints chief is keen to promote young players such as defender Calum Chambers

Out of this world: The Extra-Terrestrial

Out of this world: The Extra-Terrestrial

He is the chairman and boss, responsible for a complete  transformation at St Mary's after he was placed in sole charge of Southampton following the death of owner Markus Liebherr.

Since the Italian's arrival he has fired two managers, picking high-profile fights with Alan Pardew and Nigel Adkins during four colourful years. They were two popular  personalities, winning friends as Southampton recovered from administration to win two successive promotions under Adkins to return to the Barclays Premier League. Adkins was sacked in January, just days after his side beat Aston Villa and drew with Chelsea, and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.

'The decisions appear ruthless, but it was the right thing to do,' Cortese claimed during Saints' tune-up game against Schalke 04 this week. 'At first I was hesitant because football is so opinionated and everyone has a voice.

'It seems cold, but I do everything in order to progress. I don't want to lose five matches in a row before I sack the manager - I do it before that happens.'

Pressure point: Mauricio Pochettino has made a good impression since taking over from Nigel Adkins

Pressure point: Mauricio Pochettino has made a good impression since taking over from Nigel Adkins

He is settled with Pochettino, finding pockets of time to spend with his Argentinian coach as Southampton's players are put through their punishing pre-season programme.

Cortese expects a big season from his players, demanding an improvement on last term's 14th- placed finish in their first campaign back in the Premier League. 'I watch the players train every  couple of weeks, but I don't tell them I'm coming,' he added. 'There's a rumour they train harder when I turn up and, if that's true, I hope they do.

'I observe, I try to pick things up, to assess the mood and decide if I need to change something.'

Cortese has signed two of the club's three main transfer targets, midfielder Victor Wanyama from Celtic and Croatian defender Dejan Lovren from Lyon this summer.

Left back Luke Shaw, a target for Chelsea, has signed a new five-year contract and right back Calum Chambers, 18, will be promoted to the first-team squad this season.

Cortese watches his players closely, shaking their hands at the end of sessions and inviting them to his table at lunch for a chat.

Committed: Southampton on their pre-season tour in Austria

Committed: Southampton on their pre-season tour in Austria

He spars with Jay Rodriguez, telling the former Burnley striker that he is backing him to be  Southampton's top scorer and force his way into the England squad before Christmas.

'We have a commitment to bring young players into the first team and that's why the door to the first team is open,' he added.

'The standard at the club is  rising, but we have a responsibility to help the English team with players if they want to select them.'

Cortese commands complete respect from his players and staff, distancing himself from the  perception within the game of a tyrannical and despotic regime.

Unquestionably he has a low tolerance threshold, showing occasional signs of agitation when things don't run smoothly during the team's stay at the magnificent £400-a-night Falkensteiner Schloss Hotel on the side of Lake Worthersee.

'I want to do things differently and when that happens it creates suspicion, but I like to challenge the traditional views of English football,' he added. 'People  automatically say, "You have to play like this in League One" or "This is the way to play in the Championship" and I would say, "Why?"

Hot stuff: Southampton have signed one of their two targets, Victor Wanyama

Hot stuff: Victor Wanyama was one of Southampton's summer transfer targets

'I am demanding, but I demand a lot from myself. I want to be an example to my staff and I don't  tolerate anyone standing still.

'At the same time I want to  create a fantastic working environment - the Southampton Way - for the 200 staff at the club. Four years after I arrived I have earned some respect because maybe my decisions were not so bad.

'When I arrived the staff were used to meetings to tell them they weren't being paid. I'm first in the office at 7am and last to leave at 7pm. I'm not busy worrying what people think about me.'

He has created a stir in English football, at loggerheads with Saints legend Matthew Le Tissier and the club's former defender Francis Benali over various issues down the years.

Then there is frustration at the 'free-ticket culture' as Cortese refers to it, the sense of entitlement from ex-players, managers and staff to corporate hospitality and seats in St Mary's.

'I changed that and my staff agree with me. If you want a ticket you have to queue or call the box office, but they are not free.

'We have ex-players at games and we offer them hospitality, but they come on the condition they don't expect it to be free. 

'Matt and his family buy season tickets and I don't have an agenda against him, but I don't think he can say the same. I don't know him, but there's nothing I can say.'

 

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I think Cortese is doing a fine job at the Saints, but I do disagree with him on the ex player treatment, especially the greats like Le Tiss, There should be a number of seats and corporate space made availalbe and shared among the ex-players and staff... please don't forget the contribution the great players have made to your club down the years. I'm a Celtic fan and if Billy McNeill or Henrik Larsson arrived the red carpet would be rolled out and rightfully so,

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How any Saints fan can say anything bad about Cortese is beyond me. The man is incredible at what he does the progress we have made in four years is mind blowing! Have all you haters gone mad we were in league one up s*#t creek and with no hope. I couldn't have dreamed in a million years we would be where we are now that summer of administration it was horrible to be a saints fan in those dark days. What he has done for the club has given us that hope again and I personally am eternally great full to him, Markus and Katherine for not only saving my club but making them bloody brilliant again. I love watching them I love the whole atmosphere at the club again and we could do without negative fans like some people commenting on here. How can you say he will get us relegated how stupid can one comment actually be I trust Nicola to take us to the top it's hard to believe its happening to Saints I know but he is a born winner and is installing that in the whole club that breeds success.

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Romsey Mike, show me these quotes then ? Never seen any and he doesn't need tickets as he is always a guest in the Crouch box. My only agenda seems to be justified criticism as after all nobody is above it. I'm interested in the welfare of the club and have been for 30 yrs. laughable calling someone a troll because they are not a blind happy clapper that doesn't live in the real world. As for petty squabbles, why not ask Cortese why he instigated them against le tissier and Benali. You might also want to ask him why he has given the ex saints group such s hard time since 2009. Does cortese not have any interest in our history and just thinks he can abuse it ?

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I'm not a Saints fan but it seems to me that Cortese is a man that gets the job done,and that can only be a good thing for the Saints faithful..

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It isn't the beautiful game anymore, it is a big money business and right up the street of the Corteses of this world. Fans pay at matches, for kit and buying or using sponsors products.

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upthesaints so why did Lawrie moan in the echo about it then ? I base my findings on quotes i have read. It's quite clear you have no clue and some silly agenda ..proper saints fans are interested in the development of the club not petty squabbles, i suggest you go down the road we don't need arrogant trolls like you at the club.

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In Nicola we Trust. Watch out top 6. THE SAINTS ARE COMING. COYR

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In Nicola we trust. Top six watch out THE SAINTS ARE COMING. COYR

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Ummm yes, Delia is well known for her publicity shyness?!!! Along with Al-Fayed, Gold and Sullivan etc. If only your point wasn't riddled with a complete lack of truth or reason you might......you know....actually have the beginnings of a point. Really, move away from the funny pills and you might notice that Cortese has done rather a lot for our club. But of course, that wouldn't fit YOUR agenda would it?

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Why do you work on the arrogant presumption that I know nothing of what 'really' goes on, as if you're privvy to some kind of information that only you know, whereas the rest of us are just blinded by PR. If we want to talk about a blinkered perspective, let's look at your one-man crusade to have a go at anything and everything Cortese does - throughout the Saints forums, and at any time he dare even talk to the press. An owner of a football club talking to the press. ONCE A YEAR. How very dare he......! I'm not going to even deign to try and lecture you, as the bee is so clearly lodged in your bonnet, that resorting to reason and the like will sadly do no good at all. You keep going, we'll keep smiling and waving as we carry on forwards.

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