Back in January 2000, with the new century barely 4 weeks old, Saints had a problem, manager Dave Jones was embroiled in a Court case that had seen serious charges levelled against him, could Southampton repeat their almost 27 years later.

Southampton manager Dave Jones had worked previously as a care worker in a Children's home in the North West after retiring from playing professional football for Everton, eventually he returned to the game to work as a coach, a journey that led him being appointed manager at the Dell in June 1997.

However late in 1999 allegations began to emerge about abuse against children in care, from memory this was not just sexual orientated abuse, but more about physical punishment meted out in these care homes.

Dave Jones was arrested and charged with several offences in September 1997, he protested his innocence and formerly pleaded not guilty to all charges in Liverpool Crown Court in December 1999.

I will state now though that the case was thrown out and he was found not guilty of the charges and that it was later found that at least one of the claimants was doing so because now Jones was a famous football manager he might get a substantial compensation pay out.

All this time though he was still managing Saints and claimed that this job was the only thing keeping him sane.

That was all well and good, but the team's form was going downhill fast and so Rupert Lowe took a big decision in January 2000 and placed hi on gardening leave on full pay.

It seemed a sensible decision and although perhaps Jones did not see this as good, he was thinking of himself first and not the club and Lowe could not let him do that.

He stated that Jones would still be on full pay whilst dealing with all the issues surrounding the case and it was intended that after the successful conclusion of the trial he would return to his job at the Dell.

The man to replace him was Glenn Hoddle who was named as temporary manager of Saints.

He was successful in turning the team around and by the summer he had been installed as permanent manager and Jones had been paid off.

Now it seems that although the circumstances are very different, that history could repeat itself at Southampton, if Tonda Eckert is suspended from management for a short while, Saints could look to appoint an interim manager whilst he serves a reasonably short ban.

As back in 2000, they could look at a man who has had success at the highest level, but has seen his managerial reputation falter, Hoddle had managed England after success in charge at Chelsea, but had left his job with the FA under a cloud.

He was not in line for any top jobs, he needed somewhere where he could rebuild his reputation and then get back to managing a top club.

Of course we know what happened was that after just 14 very good months in charge at the Dell he jumped ship in controversial circumstances to join Tottenham.

But the job he set out to do has been done and it gave Saints impetus as they made the move from the Dell to St Mary's in the summer of 2021.

So could Saints already have a man in their radar, so that they could move quickly to replace Eckert should they have to.

Names mentioned are the likes of Eddie Howe or Thomas Frank, both out of work and perhaps looking like Glenn Hoddle back in 2000, for a job that was a no lose situation, if they didn't get the team up, the blame would be attached to the Spygate verdict, but if they got the team promotion then their stock would again be high.

They could even look to former Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, whilst he had his critics, he did well for the club given the financial constraints he was placed under, now with a more stable club he could well be an option.

But there are many options, I.m sure some will suggest them in the comments box below.

But this could well be a good option for Saints, someone who has the experience to hold the ship steady and not just that but take the team forward until Tonda is free to return and if it really works out then perhaps the scenario of 2000 might just give older Saints fans a feeling of deja vu in 2026.

Via Reuters

Recent Stories