Mark Wotte became the first casualty of the takeover of Southampton by Markus Liebherr yesterday when he was sacked as head coach shortly after praising the new owner.

Interviewed by a local newspaper, Wotte said: “I met Mr Liebherr and his representative four weeks ago. Immediately I had a good feeling with them. He is exactly what we need for the long term.”

Whether or not the Dutchman feels the same today, the new regime hopes to appoint his replacement within a week. “Our decision is part of a wider strategic plan being implemented to improve all aspects of the club’s operations, both on and off the field,” a club statement read. “In keeping with this plan we can confirm that the search for a new manager has begun.”

Kevin Keegan, the club’s former forward, will head a list of the usual suspects. The Times also understands that Tony Adams and Micky Adams have been under consideration by the new team, which includes Andy Oldknow, a former commercial director of the club, who has been appointed chief operating officer.

Tony Adams would be an unpopular choice because he managed Portsmouth last season, while Micky Adams, the former Southampton defender, has recently taken over at Port Vale after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion in March with the team in the Coca-Cola League One relegation places.

Meanwhile, Begbies Traynor, the firm that handled the club’s 98 days in administration, yesterday reported a 29 per cent rise in revenues to £62.1 million in the year ending April 2009, and no wonder, some will say. Although its fee was originally estimated at £500,000, it has risen to three times that amount for a performance that has impressed few. One rival consortium was especially unhappy that it was unable to succeed with a bid that was higher than that of Liebherr.

A quicker resolution might also have avoided the need to sell David McGoldrick and Andrew Surman to pay overdue staff wages, but at least the club’s best performer over recent seasons is staying. Kelvin Davis, the goalkeeper who was a free agent and had had trials with West Ham United, has signed a new three-year contract to remain at St Mary’s.