Southampton fans have endured a rough relationship with both Liverpool and Tottenham in recent years, with both clubs persistently pinching the very best on offer down on the south coast.
The trend dates back just a few years to 2014 when, in one summer, the Saints lost their manager Mauricio Pochettino to north London, whilst the trio of Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and hero Rickie Lambert all headed for Merseyside.
In the years since the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Victor Wanyama, Toby Alderweireld have all joined the pair after being with the southerners, Spurs even pinched head of recruitment Paul Mitchell.
Therefore, when the club today announced that CEO Gareth Rodgers, who had been at St. Mary’s since 2011, was to leave in order to ‘pursue new opportunities,’ it didn’t take long for the jokes to roll in.
@SouthamptonFC Is he off to Liverpool or Spurs?
— Richie Smith (@Gladbachsaint) May 5, 2017
@dailyechosaints Not surprising, sfc is an academy for the so called bigger clubs, the likes of Liverpool etc are extremely thankful
— Bazza (@Bazz1955) May 5, 2017
@SouthamptonFC pic.twitter.com/IJgFWrTCVD
— Jordan (@JordiMurray) May 5, 2017
Whilst some jeered, other fans were quick to offer their thanks…
@SouthamptonFC Thank you Gareth for all your work for our great club. Best wishes for the future.
— Edward Smith OBE (@EdwardCharlesSm) May 5, 2017
@SouthamptonFC Best of luck Gareth
— terry couzens (@tcouzens1) May 5, 2017