Saints manager Nigel Adkins has today been sacked.
In a shock move the Southampton manager was dismissed from the post that had seen him win back-to-back promotions and pull away from the bottom of the Premier League.
He will be replaced by former Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Adkins, 47, was told that his services were no longer required in a meeting with chairman Nicola Cortese this morning (January 18).
Speculation about Adkins’ future was rife in November when the team found themselves bottom of the table and struggling to get a foothold in the Premier League.
But since then he has turned their fortunes round, with just two defeats in the last 12 games, guided them to the relative safety of 15th place and this week earned a 2-2 draw at European champions and FA Cup holders Chelsea.
Argentinian Pochettino, who has been out of work since being released by Espanyol in the autumn after a poor run of results in what was his first job in management
A statement from 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.
“He also shares my belief that the most successful clubs are built by nurturing young players through a development system that provides a clear path to the First Team, thereby creating a culture that keeps them at the Club for the long term. This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”