Southampton confirm Sammy Lee appointment as assistant coach

Sammy Lee had a short stint as manager of Bolton Wanderers in 2007

Southampton have confirmed the appointment of Sammy Lee to the coaching staff at St Mary's.

Lee has been named first-team assistant coach at Saints working under new manager Ronald Koeman.

Two days ago, the 55-year-old reversed his decision to join Brighton & Hove Albion as their assistant manager.

Southampton executive director Les Reed said on Tuesday Lee "will play a big part in the day-to-day coaching of the first team".

The Premier League club also announced that Dave Watson has left Norwich City to become senior goalkeeping coach and Martin Hunter has been named as technical director, adding to the recent appointments of Koeman, Erwin Koeman and Jan Kluitenberg.

"I am extremely happy that we have been able to appoint three highly respected and talented coaches to these important positions in our coaching structure," Reed added.

On Friday, Brighton announced new manager Sami Hyypia had appointed Lee and goalkeeping coach Antti Niemi.

But in a statement two days later, Brighton said Lee had taken a job at Southampton.

"It is extremely disappointing for the club and Sami Hyypia," said Brighton chief executive Paul Barber.

Former Liverpool midfielder and coach Lee had a short spell with the England set-up under Sven-Goran Eriksson and then joined Bolton in 2005, briefly managing the Trotters in 2007 before returning to the Reds as assistant manager to Rafa Benitez.

Lee rejoined Bolton in 2011 where he was head of academy coaching and development.

"Sammy has a wealth of experience from his time with Liverpool and Bolton, as well as from his long association with the England team," Reed added.

"He will work closely with Ronald, Erwin and Jan, and will play a big part in the day-to-day coaching of the first team."

Former Netherlands international Koeman agreed a three-year deal with Southampton in June to replace Mauricio Pochettino who took over at Tottenham in May.