11 amazing players Southampton sold that would give them a top team

All the players pictured above have left Southampton to join rival Premier League clubs — All the players pictured above left Southampton to join rival Premier League clubs

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino (Spurs)

Southampton finished 8th under Pochettino in 2013/14

Pochettino took over as Southampton manager in January 2013 when they were fighting relegation. He helped them avoid the drop impressively with 3-1 wins over Manchester City and Liverpool as well as a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

The following season, he helped the club finish 8th in the league which was their best finish in the top tier since 2002/03.

Several players shone under the Argentine in the 2013/14 season and as a result, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers left the club the next summer to join Premier League giants.

Pochettino also moved on in the same summer. He was appointed head coach of Spurs, a position he still holds. He has brought consistency to Spurs in his four years at the club and also helped raise the game of several players including Harry Kane.

Honourable mentions: Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) and Claude Puel (Leicester City)