Typically for Saints, Hoddle lasted just one season in charge before joining Tottenham. He took Saints to tenth and was replaced by Stuart Gray. Gray had been caretaker manager for the close of the previous season and results had been poor.

They continued to be poor in the 01/02 season. Faced with the prospect of another relegation battle Gray was sacked and Gordon Strachan was brought in. A solid top ten finish looked possible under Strachan before a poor run in with Saints salvaging 11th.

A new millennium saw Saints finally move into a new home, the 32 500 capacity St. Mary's stadium

Strachan turned Saints into a very hard team to beat. A European place was a realistic prospect for the first time in years in 02/03, illustrating the positive progress the club had made under the solid business hand of Rupert Lowe. The club cleared out their excess players and invested in a strong squad for the future. James Beattie earned his first England cap.

Still on a controlled budget, Strachan brought the best out of his players and began to climb the table. As football's finances suffered serious set backs, Saints looked increasingly secure.