Rupert Lowe admits Southampton's successful youth system emerged out of necessity.
Lowe explains that the decision of introducing the Academy at Southampton was one of business necessity.
He told the Daily Echo: "Southampton had no money.
"We knew the only way to compete with the bigger clubs was to produce our own players.
"Such kind of projects do not always sit easily with the short-term approaches of many people in football whether they are supporters, managers or players.
"We wanted to make the Academy a separate entity and as an institution it didn't report to the first team manager but me.
"We tried to make it easy for the manager to pick players from the Academy teams and introduce as many as possible into the senior side. When you look at the list we've had a lot of good players come through our ranks who have gone on to become successful footballers.
"The system goes right down to the under 8s and the scouting and coaching structure was all about getting good people in place and showing respect."
