NATHAN JONES has been sacked by Southampton after just 14 games in charge.
The Welshman, 49, succeeded former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl in November but has failed to turn the Saints’ fortunes around.
The final straw came in the shape of today’s 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Wolves at St Mary’s.
The club said in a statement: “Southampton Football Club can confirm it has parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Nathan Jones.
“First Team Coaches Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan have also left the club.
“First Team Lead Coach Rubén Sellés will take charge of training and prepare the team ahead of next weekend’s game against Chelsea.”
Argentine Marcelo Gallardo is one of the favourites to take over, along with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and former Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
Jones won five of his 14 games in charge in all competitions after succeeding Hasenhuttl, losing the other nine.
SunSport revealed last week that the former Luton manager had already lost the faith of many members of his squad.
Many of the club’s first team squad questioned Jones’ tactics, while feeling his coaching was not at the level of Hasenhuttl’s.
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He then angered some members of the team by blaming them for his reluctance to switch to his so-called “preferred style”.
Fans have also voiced their discontent towards Jones in recent weeks.
In Saturday’s dismal defeat to Wolves, Saints supporters chanted “You’re getting sacked in the morning” to the Welshman.
One fan was even kicked out of St. Mary’s for waving a giant P45 cutout with Jones’ name on.
Jones, 49, made two big calls prior to the defeat to Wolves – dropping regular defenders Duje Caleta-Car and Armel Bella-Kotchap from the squad entirely, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles playing at centre-back.
Saints took the lead on 24 minutes, when Carlos Alcaraz converted beyond Jose Sa.
Just three minutes later Wolves ace Mario Lemina was red carded against his former club, putting Jones and Co in a commanding position.
But the ten men came roaring back, with Jan Bednarek’s 72nd minute own goal equalising for Julen Lopetegui’s side before Joao Gomes struck an 87th minute winner.
The result saw Southampton stay bottom of the pile with just 15 points from 22 games this term.
Jones said: “I’ve compromised certain principles because of personnel, but also the way people want to play — because of fans.
“I’ve been very successful playing a fluent style, Luton were a real aggressive front-footed side.
“Statistically, there weren’t many better than me around Europe in terms of aggression, clean sheets, defending the box, balls in the box, xG, all those sort of things.
“We were pound-for-pound the best because we were spending next to nothing and producing so much. I’ve gone away from that because it’s the Premier League and due to certain players and internationals.
“I’ve had to compromise certain things and I won’t do that again.”
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Saints travel to Chelsea next weekend, before a trip to Leeds the following Saturday.
They will next be in action at St Mary’s on March 1, when they take on Grimsby in the FA Cup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
