Southampton secured the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin in 2008, a move that not only snatched a player desired by local rivals Portsmouth but also brought a talent who would become a significant figure for the club and generate a substantial financial return years later.
In the summer of 2008, Southampton and Portsmouth found themselves in vastly different circumstances. Portsmouth were celebrating a successful season, having finished eighth in the Premier League and lifted the FA Cup. In contrast, Southampton were enduring a difficult period in the Championship, facing financial instability, boardroom turmoil, and had narrowly avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the season.
Southampton Wins the Race for Schneiderlin
Despite the disparity in their situations, a promising player became available that summer who attracted the attention of both clubs. Morgan Schneiderlin had progressed through the academy at Strasbourg, making his first-team debut in 2006 and representing France at multiple youth international levels (Under-16, 17, 18, and 19).
Following Strasbourg`s relegation from Ligue Un at the end of the 2007/08 campaign, Schneiderlin became a target for several clubs. Portsmouth showed interest, but Schneiderlin was reportedly concerned about securing regular first-team opportunities at Fratton Park. When Southampton matched Portsmouth`s £1.2 million bid, Schneiderlin opted for a move to St Mary`s instead, choosing the Championship side over their Premier League rivals.
Seven Years of Service and a Huge Profit
Schneiderlin arrived at Southampton during a challenging time for the club. His first season saw the Saints relegated to League One after receiving a ten-point deduction. Despite this setback, he remained loyal, signing a contract extension with Southampton in 2011.
Meanwhile, the fortunes of Portsmouth and Southampton began to diverge dramatically. Portsmouth, burdened by financial mismanagement, entered administration in 2010 and started a steep decline that saw them drop out of the top flight.
By 2013, Portsmouth were preparing for life in League Two, while Southampton had achieved successive promotions and were back in the Premier League. Schneiderlin was a pivotal player in their ascent. By the conclusion of the 2012/13 season, his impressive performances, work rate, and technical ability in the Premier League were widely recognised, leading to him being named Central Midfielder of the Year by FourFourTwo magazine`s Statszone.
Although Schneiderlin briefly wore the captain`s armband and signed another contract extension in February 2013, Southampton eventually faced mounting interest for their star midfielder. In July 2015, Schneiderlin completed a move to Manchester United for a fee of £25 million. This represented a remarkable return on their initial £1.2 million investment, especially considering he had served the club diligently for seven years and made over 250 appearances.
Ultimately, Southampton not only banked a significant £23.8 million profit and benefited from seven years of outstanding service from a player central to their return to the Premier League, but they also enjoyed the satisfaction of having signed him ahead of their local rivals back in 2008. For the club and its supporters, beating a rival to a player who brought so much success and financial reward was a truly sweet victory.
