Saints have parted company with chief executive Gareth Rogers.

The reason for his sudden departure remains unclear for now, but the Daily Echo understands it is not directly connected with a potential purchase of the club by Chinese firm Lander Holdings.

In a statement issued to the Daily Echo, the club confirmed: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that CEO Gareth Rogers will be leaving the club to pursue new opportunities.

“The club will be implementing an internal restructure over the coming weeks to ensure we continue to have the right leadership team off the pitch to grow our business and remain competitive in the Premier League.

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Gareth well for the future, and thank him for his six years of service.”

Rogers was appointed chief executive in March 2014, having held the post on an interim basis after Nicola Cortese’s departure two months earlier.

Rogers had been chief financial officer at the club since 2011, having previously worked for Deloitte.

He has been widely praised for steering Saints back towards sound financial footing after inheriting a difficult situation upon taking over the chief executive role.

The club’s latest set of accounts, released in March, revealed another profit as well as a growth in commercial revenue, while Rogers himself stressed the need to continue to lower the club’s debt levels.

Although it is believed that Rogers’ departure is not as a direct result of a potential takeover, there remains a strong possibility that Lander Holdings could complete a deal to buy an 80 per cent stake in the club from owner Katharina Liebherr for around £210m.