By Felix Keith

S outhampton’s chief scout, Paul Mitchell, has handed in his notice ahead of a move to Tottenham. After overseeing Southampton’s impressive summer recruitment chairman, Daniel Levy has lured Mitchell away from the south coast to re-join old boss Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs.

The movement of a member of the back room staff to another football club would not generally be considered newsworthy, but there are a few factors that make this an exception.

1) The first is that the move has taken place within an international break, so understandably domestic football news is thin on the ground.

2) Secondly, and most importantly, this relatively minor staff movement fits into a wider narrative: the two clubs have played into the hands of their media-driven stereotypes.

‘Selling club’ vs ‘buying club’

Southampton are lazily defined as a selling club; the plucky underdog that produces talented players but cannot hold onto them. Admired from all angles after a successful re-build in the summer, their assets may once again be stripped. Spurs have long been rumoured to be chasing Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez, so expect this move to drive speculation.

The same newspaper columnists who predicted a swift downward trajectory at the beginning of the season for the Saints now need an explanation for their fantastic start. Painting Mitchell as a ‘transfer guru’ goes some way towards explaining their success whilst maintaining the same club traits.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are defined as a buying club; a side further up football’s hierarchy who can cherry-pick from below rather than develop their own ethos. Levy is a key player in this negative archetype: the hands-on, behind-the-scenes mastermind of a failing strategy indicative of football’s excesses.

Southampton & Spurs: 2 different transfer policies, 2 different results

There can be no doubt that Spurs have bought poorly. Levy, alongside technical director Franco Baldini, have splashed cash on a variety of foreign mercenaries. Players like Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and, more recently, Federico Fazio and Vlad Chiriches have struggled to adapt to the Premier League.

On the face of it, when you compare the transfer strategy of the two clubs it is easy to see why Spurs want to recruit Mitchell. Whilst many of Spurs’ overseas imports have not looked up to the challenge, Saints’ own additions have hit the ground running. Much of this is down to meticulous and innovative scouting.

Mitchell, as head of recruitment, had already identified Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic in the Eredivisie as transfer targets before Dutch manager Ronald Koeman arrived at Southampton.

Similarly, when important first-team players like Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren left the club in the summer, Mitchell had already identified high-quality replacements from across Europe. This knowledge meant the Saints were ready to move as soon as players left. High-profile players like Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane were also recruited, leaving the squad with arguably more depth than before.

As well as the impressive first-team additions, Mitchell was also involved in identifying, recruiting and promoting young players in Southampton’s famous academy. He also pioneered the ‘Black Box’ – a leading video analysis tool used for scouting and internal player monitoring. Mitchell has therefore undoubtedly been one of the figures at the forefront of the Saints’ success in the last few years.

SEE ALSO: Southampton success just business as usual for Dusan Tadic

Paul Mitchell: New scout, same story?

But can recruiting a new head scout bring about an immediate change of fortunes in the transfer market?

In reality this move will have little short-term effect. Southampton still have a proven system and a team of scouts in place inside a brand-new training centre. Whoever is appointed in his place has an excellent platform on which to build on.

Tottenham meanwhile will simply have a new man heading up their recruitment department. But while this move is unspectacular on the surface, it does a great deal to further both clubs’ image off the pitch.

Southampton will continue as the neutrals favourite; sympathised with as a well-run club paying the price for its success. Although Saints will not want to lose Mitchell, the move is recognition of the growth of the club over the last five years. The loss of their chief scout will not derail them.

I n contrast, under Levy’s over-bearing stewardship, Tottenham are the antithesis of Southampton; a club all too eager to open their wallet and buy their way past every obstacle.

Levy has presided over a period of excess and a scatter-gun approach to recruitment. The addition of a new chief scout shows willingness to change and perhaps Mitchell can offer a more sustainable alternative.

Will Paul Mitchell have a profound impact at Tottenham? Will his departure affect Southampton? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @JustFootball.

Felix Keith is a new writer for Just Football. Follow him on Twitter @felixkeith

(Photo credit #1 to Southampton Atlantean via Flickr)