Arsenal and England legend Tony Adams believes he was rejected for the Southampton job due to his Portsmouth connections.
The former Pompey boss explained that he spoke to the club after Mark Wotte was dismissed in 2009.
"That was a few years ago, when Markus Liebherr took over the club, and I was interviewed," said the 47-year-old to the Daily Echo.
"But I think they were worried with the connections I had previously with Portsmouth. Having just taken over the club, I don't think the board wanted to be hiring someone seen as a Portsmouth person.
"It was quite understandable. They got Alan (Pardew), who's a good guy, and the rest is history.
"It's a super club, with great facilities.
"My great friends, Les Reed and Martin Hunter, are down there at the moment doing some brilliant things.
"It's a club that deserves a lot of success."
