Helmond Sport have insisted new Southampton boss Jan Poortvliet still has a contract with them and is unable to join Saints.

Saints unveiled Poortvliet and fellow Dutchman Mark Wotte on Friday but now, according to reports, the whole deal is in doubt as Helmond Sport say he is still their coach and has a contract until next year with no release clause.

Officials from Helmond Sport are said to be 'stunned' by the news that Poortvliet has been unveiled as Saints boss and have been trying to get in contact with him, only to reach his answer phone.

The Dutch club say they have never had any contact with Southampton over a deal for their coach and believe the contract that Poortvliet has signed is void.

Comment: Surprise Surprise no comment on the OS!...

PS. Still nothing on OS, despite every other media source reporting it, but appartently BBC have reported the following:

"Chairman Rupert Lowe has confirmed reports that the Holland 1978 World Cup finalist remains technically under contract to Dutch side, Helmond Sport.

Poortvliet was unveiled as Nigel Pearson's replacement on Friday.

Lowe explained to BBC Radio Solent: "We've just got to tie up the compensation issue. Jan has agreed to pay out of his own pocket."

The development comes a fortnight after Rupert Lowe returned to St Mary's as chairman".

Comment: I'm sure this will all be resolved, with compensation being paid to Helmond. But after all Lowe has said in the past about other clubs, it's surprising no contact was made with Helmond (with whom Poortvliet is still contracted to for another year) before any annoucement was made. 

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