Southampton sack Nigel Adkins

 

Southampton have announced the appointment of ex-Espanyol boss Mauricio Pochettino as new first team manager after relieving Nigel Adkins of his duties...

 

In a statement posted on the club's official website this morning, Southampton have confirmed that they've sacked Adkins to make way for the incoming Argentine coach.

 

Saints executive chairman Nicola Cortese said:  "This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind. Whilst we acknowledge the contribution Nigel has made during the past two years, for the club to progress and achieve our long-term targets, a change was needed.

 

"Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager. I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level.

 

The new Southampton manager Pochettino added: "This the kind of opportunity that any coach would relish. Southampton is a club with great heritage, and an even more exciting future."

 

Poccehttino gained his reputation at La Liga side Espanyol, who he inherited in relegation danger and was credited with stabilising the club with four mid-table finishes before a rotten start this campaign led him to be sacked.

 

The switch does come at a strange time for the Saints, who have seemingly repaired much of the early-season damage of late, going five league games unbeaten to move three points clear of the relegation places in 15th.

 

But it seems that even a midweek comeback from 2-0 down at the home of the European champions was not going to be enough to dissuade the St Mary's hierarchy from bringing their new man in.

 

Despite the patter of "long-term success", Pochettino will know only too well that his main objective will be to keep Southampton in the Premier League this season.

 

Those who believe the 40-year-old Argentine can carry on the Saints' recent revival can currently lay them at 2.74 to avoid the drop.

 

The outgoing Adkins will undoubtedly feel hard done by after guiding the languishing south coast outfit through two successive promotions before arriving at this point.

 

A far more rational decision it seems would have been to sack Adkins when Southampton were really struggling back in the early autumn.

 

Pochettino will get his first taste of top-flight action on Monday night as his new side take on high-flyers Everton at St Mary's, where Saints are rated at 4.2 for victory.

 

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