Jan Poortvliet is free to take charge of Southampton after the Dutch Football Association ruled that Southampton must pay Helmond Sport £60,000 in compensation.

The 52-year-old coach signed a deal with the Championship club last month despite having a year to run on his contract with Jupiler League side Helmond Sport. Poortvliet, who took charge of training at Southampton earlier this week, was pleased to put the month-long saga behind him.

"Of course I am relieved that everything is done now," he said. "But I am disappointed that we needed an arbitration case to come to this conclusion.

"This is my only chance to become a top coach. In Holland I have a certain image, which I will never lose. In England I would like to have a fresh start."

Mario Captein, the Helmond director, was in philosophical mood after the hearing and warned the decision could set a dangerous precedent.

"We wanted to go on with Poortvliet," he said. "But at a certain point it is better for both parties to go their own way. This decision provides a license for all coaches who want to leave their club. All you have to do is start a job somewhere else,” he added.