Southampton starlet insists Rusk was not typical youth coach

Rusk was hired as under-21s boss in July but has become a permanent first team coach after a two-match spell as interim manager in December.

After picking up a 0-0 draw at Fulham, the 43 year old is seen as the most likely candidate to become interim again if Ivan Juric is sacked.

Rusk has held youth coaching roles at Brighton and England but was employed by Nottingham Forest as a set-piece specialist last season. 

O'Brien-Whitmarsh, now excelling on loan at Accrington, was asked about his experience under Rusk, who also previously managed Stockport County. 

He said: "He helped me a lot, he was very good with me. He's the type of manager that, being in the 21s league, he wasn't a typical 21s manager.

Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh captained the academy side under Simon Rusk (Image: Chris Moorhouse)

READ: 'Working hard' - Saints academy star targeting senior breakthrough

"Well, out of the people I've dealt with anyways. You could tell he spent a lot of time in the first teams with the way he was.

"He's very, I wouldn't say old school, but you can tell that he's trying to get us ready for first team and I think that's definitely helped me now."

The Ireland youth international added: "I didn't see myself much as a captain until I was given the armband and it was Simon Rusk who gave it to me.

"It was something I had to get used to and kind of have to grow with that a bit, which I think I was starting to do.

"I think that helped coming into this changing room at Accrington, being a bit more, I suppose, out there and taking responsibility and stuff.

"I would never have taught myself as a captain but it was definitely something that helped me grow, I suppose, over the last few months.

"I think the under-21s league has had its benefits for me. I've played probably nearly 25 games before January and that's the first time I've done that.

"Even for the tactical side of things, I think the 21s league has been brilliant, but it's not the same as men's football. It doesn't have that edge.

"It's definitely important for a young person to kind of get out on loan and experience what it's like, there are jobs on the line in men's football."