A former Saints academy director who helped develop the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott has died.

Malcolm Elias, 71, worked at Southampton from 2000 until 2006 and worked with a wealth of homegrown talent, which also included Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.

He enjoyed a successful spell at the club alongside colleagues Huw Jennings and Steve Wigley, and was still working as Fulham's head of academy recruitment at the time of his death.

Southampton FC posted on social media: “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the club’s youth development history.

“Our thoughts go out to all of Malcolm’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

Speaking in a documentary about Gareth Bale on S4C, Mr Elias revealed that the Welsh winger was just one game away from being cut by the club as a teenager.

READ MORE: Gareth Bale was just one game away from being cut by Southampton

He said: “Everybody will look at the good times – there have been tough times for him and his family.

“We had offered seven players in that group a scholarship. He was number eight.

“I think we just decided, come on we’ll make a decision based on Saturday and that was D-Day. Thankfully for him and for us he was outstanding.

“I remember after the game saying to his parents Frank and Debbie, ‘he’s going to be fine’.”

Mr Elias also helped develop former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.Mr Elias also helped develop former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. (Image: Gordon Agg-Jones) Mr Elias also played a hand in developing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who lifted eight major honours at Liverpool and joined Real Madrid at the start of June.

READ MORE: Benali details what Saints players should expect from Still's first impressions

We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Malcolm Elias, one of the influential figures in the club’s youth development history.

Our thoughts go out to all of Malcolm's family, friends and colleagues at this time.

Fulham also paid tribute to their head of recruitment on social media, posting: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Malcolm Elias, after a short illness.

“The club’s head of academy recruitment, Malcolm had a fantastic reputation in football for unearthing and nurturing young talent.

“The influence that Malcolm had on the modern game cannot be understated, having worked with and developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Luke Harris and Jay Stansfield, to name but a few.

“A hugely popular figure around the training ground, Malcolm will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years Paula, his sons Andrew and Daniel and his six grandchildren.