Nigel Adkins

[Lev Bronstein]

Lost for words.

I'm sure the new guy is a decent manager, but bloody hell

"Southampton have sacked manager Nigel Adkins after two-and-a-half years in charge and appointed Argentine Mauricio Pochettino as manager.

Who is Mauricio Pochettino?

Centre-half who played for Espanyol and PSG
Won 20 caps or Argentina
Fouled Michael Owen to give England penalty at 2002 World Cup
Managed Espanyol between 2009 and November 2012
Won 49 of 146 league matches at Espanyol

The Saints came from 2-0 down to draw with Chelsea on Wednesday and are currently three points clear of the relegation zone.

Adkins, 47, took the club from League One to the Premier League with successive promotions.

Pochettino, 40, will take charge against Everton on Monday.

The Argentine left Spanish side Espanyol in November and will take charge of training on Saturday for the first time.

Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese said: "This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind.
Adkins' Southampton record

Played: 124
Won: 67
Drawn: 25
Lost: 32

"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."

Pochettino played for Espanyol and Paris Saint-Germain as a defender during his career, and won 20 caps for Argentina, fouling Michael Owen at the 2002 World Cup to give England a penalty which was converted by David Beckham.

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

"There is a clear vision to take the club to a new era of sustained success in the Premier League, and beyond, which I'm delighted to be part of."

Pochettino took charge of Espanyol at the age of 36 in January 2009, and managed a best finish of eighth in La Liga in 2010-11.

He left the club by mutual consent at the end of November 2012, with an overall record of 49 wins from 146 league matches.

Southampton had a tough start to life back in the top flight this season, taking only five points from their opening 11 games, but Adkins had steered the club out of the relegation places with a run of only two defeats in the last 12 league matches.

Adkins twice broke the club's transfer record last summer, first by signing striker Jay Rodriguez from Burnley for a reported fee of £7m, and then by signing Gaston Ramirez. "

[Beefymcfc]

I wonder if there'll be an outcry with the way the new manager was straight in his seat? Seems a bit of a shame really. Adkins had steaded the ship a little after a very shaky start, beating Villa and drawing with Chelsea only this week. He was the one who took them to back-to-back promotions to the Prem as well.

[paulmclaren]

That is a great record he had at Southampton.
Can see nothing but relegation for them now.

[sweenyuk]

This must be down to transfer policy, Adkins wanting more players and the board not wanting to back him, nothing in the club statement mentions new investment

[CTID Hants]

Lost for words.

Mauricio Pochettino

Managed Espanyol between 2009 and November 2012
Won 49 of 146 league matches at Espanyol[/i]




Adkins' Southampton record

Played: 124
Won: 67
Drawn: 25
Lost: 32

"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.


"

Looking at those stats, looks like one of the bottom 3 has just got a "get out of jail card"

Bizarre decision especially as they have done quite well in the last 12 games.

[Ted Hughes]

Very strange & unfair decision but he's another one of those weird Vicar/managers.

Glad he's gone.

[bobby brows]

Ok who sacks their manager on a FRIDAY? even more ridiculous is the fact that they've only lost 3 of 12 and they got a great point at Stamford Bridge THIS WEEK.

The new manager should be interesting though

[Beefymcfc]

'He left the club by mutual consent at the end of November 2012, with an overall record of 49 wins from 146 league matches.'

What the above fails to state is that he left them at the bottom of La Liga.

[Ted Hughes]

Probably caught hiding in the changing rooms wearing his vicar outfit & gimp mask.

[mr_nool]

This seems very dodgy. I wouldn't be happy if I were a Southampton supporter.
I think Adkins has done all you could ask from him.

[Hazy2]

fronm one young manager who was losing every week to one who was stabilising a promoted club he has got to the prem. Disgusting immoral decision.

[Chinners]

Saints board are Fuclin idiots imo

[london blue 2]

Heard they were holding out for Pep but as he ageed a deal with Bayern they've settled for Pochettino

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Terrible decision.

Victim of his own success. There's no doubt in my mind he's be in a job had they not been promoted last season and were doing well in the championship.

[Moonchesteri]

That is a great record he had at Southampton.
Can see nothing but relegation for them now.

withouth knowing whats happening behind the scenes
This sacking seems so unfair that I almost want Soton to go down now. I thought he had done 'well' so far this season

This must be down to transfer policy, Adkins wanting more players and the board not wanting to back him, nothing in the club statement mentions new investment

but if there reason is something like this etc/not related to the results then at times there is just no other way than to part ways with the manager.

[john@staustell]

Madness. I was just thinking after Chelsea how well he was doing.

[bobby brows]

Saints board are Fuclin idiots imo

are the saints run by a woman who inherited the club after the original owner died?

sounds to me like a board that has been influenced by an agent anyway

[everyonehatesus]

joke this, hope they do go down now.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

I like Adkins a lot, am a bit disappointed he's been sacked.

But then I see this picture

[Mase]

I like Adkins a lot, am a bit disappointed he's been sacked.

But then I see this picture

Looks like one of the gimps off The Inbetweeners