EXCLUSIVE: Southampton sack academy coaches Jason Dodd and Paul Williams (who brought through Luke Shaw) 'for not spending enough time with players'



Shaw has reacted furiously to sackings by Southampton

Left back currently in Portugal on pre-World Cup training with England

Dodd and Williams credited with emergence of Calum Chambers, James Ward-Prowse, Harry Reed and Sam Gallagher

Southampton players and staff stunned at decision to fire pair

Williams and Dodd 'did not spend enough time with the Under 16 squad'

Shaw, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren set to quit Saints this summer



Southampton are in meltdown after they fired their two fabled academy coaches Jason Dodd and Paul Williams ‘for not spending enough time with the players’.

Dodd and Williams were sacked despite being credited with bringing through Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, James Ward-Prowse, Harry Reed and Sam Gallagher through the club’s highly-regarded academy to the first team.

Sportsmail understands Shaw, who is currently away with the England squad in Portugal preparing for the World Cup, reacted furiously to the news.

The left-back posted on Twitter: 'Gutted for doddsy and Willo, helped me a lot in my development over the years, wish them all the best in their carers [sic]'



VIDEO Luke Shaw in action and James Ward-Prowse impersonating Gerrard



Sacked: Southampton have axed academy coaches Jason Dodd (left) and Paul Williams (right) for 'not spending enough time with the players'

Furious: Luke Shaw, away on England duty, reacted with anger at the news of the coaches' sacking Farewell: Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, whose career was overseen by Dodd and Williams, posted this message on Twitter Not happy: Shaw then replied to a post by BBC reporter Adam Blackmore by saying 'wrong decision'

Dodd, who made nearly 400 appearances for Southampton, has been left stunned by the decision to fire him and Williams, who was a member of the Saints' FA Cup final squad against Arsenal in 2003..

The pair were called into the club on Monday and told of their fate by interim academy director Matt Hale.



It’s understood they were told they did not spend enough time with the Under 16 squad and that their relationship with another coach, Martin Hunter, was not healthy.

Giving youth a chance: Dodd pictured when Southampton's caretaker manager in 2008

Old boy: Paul Williams in a Southampton shirt against Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002

THE YOUNG STARS THEY HAVE HELPED BRING THROUGH

Luke Shaw

18-year-old left back who has excelled at Saints this season and earned a call-up to the England World Cup squad.



Calum Chambers

Right back, 19, who also enjoyed a breakthrough season. England Under 19 star.



James Ward-Prowse

Midfielder, also 19, who has been a regular in Southampton's team this season and plays for England Under 21s.



Harry Reed

Midfielder who has made a handful of first team appearances this season and has been capped by England at Under 19 level.



Sam Gallagher

Striker who made 16 league appearances for Southampton this season and is also an England Under 19 international.

Dodd is highly regarded by the parents of the young players in Southampton’s academy, who will be shocked by the manner and timing of his departure.

There has been friction at the club between academy staff and coaches since January as they bicker over the future direction of their youngsters.

Southampton are about to move into a stunning new training facility on the grounds of their existing complex, but Dodd and Williams will not be part of it.

The move has been met with disbelief at St Mary’s by both staff and players as they head into a summer of uncertainty.

Shaw is leaving Southampton when he returns from the World Cup with England and captain Adam Lallana has also made it clear he is quitting when he returns from South America.



Centre back Dejan Lovren, who was outstanding in his first season at St Mary's, will agitate to leave if the Saints start selling their best players.

Southampton were unavailable for comment.