LEGEND Matt Le Tissier believes Adam Lallana would be a "really useful addition" for Saints in the Premier League next season.
The 55 year old also admitted he can understand why some fans will be upset about Lallana's return after his controversial exit in 2014.
Lallana, 36, is believed to be Southampton-bound when his contract at Brighton expires this summer.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Le Tissier revealed a conversation he had with Lallana ahead of his transfer to Liverpool 10 years ago.
He said: “Some fans were upset (when Lallana left), and I think they have every reason to be because Adam didn’t conduct himself as well as he could have done.
“I actually had a chat with Adam. He asked me to come down to his house when the move was being proposed.
“I told him ‘I’d love you to stay at Saints, but you’ve got a chance to go to Liverpool. There is a way of going about things. If you do it the wrong way, people will hold a grudge for a long time.’
“Unfortunately, he didn’t take my advice that day and took the advice of his agent I think. From that point of view, I understand why some fans are upset.
“That was a long time ago now. We were talking about his coaching badges, which he has done all of - he is keen to go into that side of things."
Lallana has been juggling his playing career with earning his coaching qualifications. He has spent time coaching England's under-21s, where he worked with Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
“He has got an excellent football brain. From sitting alongside him for 99 minutes at Wembley, I can tell he knows what he is talking about," Le Tissier continued.
“He can be a really useful addition. He is not going to play the whole season - he will be a bit part player in terms of Premier League action.
“I think having his presence in the changing room and having that knowledge to pass onto the young kids, he can still be incredibly useful to the football club.
“We have got to put those things behind us and move forward. There is definitely potential for Adam to bring something to this football club.”
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