Southampton chief executive Lee Hoos has resigned ahead of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Friday.

The EGM has been called by former chairmen Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde, who were demanding that Hoos quit after almost two years with the club.

They also want football club chairman Leon Crouch and directors Patrick Trant and Keith Wiseman to resign.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here - it is a great club with tremendous staff," Hoos told the club's website.

"I really hope they get back into the Premier League quickly.

"We came agonisingly close to doing it a year ago and we thought we had a great chance again this season but ended up celebrating finishing 20th in the Championship.

"I only hope that everyone - fans, shareholders and employees - can put past differences behind them to unite and take this club forward again."

Lowe and WIlde control 46% of the shares in the club's parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, and could take over if the EGM rules in their favour.