Southampton have named Christian Damiano as assistant to head coach Steve Wigley.

The Frenchman was assistant manager under Jean Tigana at Fulham and Gerard Houllier at Liverpool.

Damiano said: “I’m delighted to be back in England.

“Southampton are a strong club with a great stadium and fantastic support. I was impressed by Steve and the chairman and look forward to working with them.”

Wigley said he had consulted Saints Under-18s coach Georges Prost before appointing Damiano.

“I did not want to bring in a friend or someone similar to myself. I wanted someone on the same wavelength but someone who would offer something different,” he explained.

“Christian is a well respected coach who was successful with Fulham. They played a nice style of football under him and were well organised.”