x

Mauricio Pellegrino Is Gone !

The news that most Saints fans wanted to hear was delivered earlier this evening with the news that Mauricio Pellegrino had been sacked.

Just before 9pm this evening the club issued a statement via their website to confirm that Pellegrino's reign was over.

"Southampton Football Club can today confirm that it has parted company with First Team Manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

Assistant Manager Carlos Compagnucci and Assistant First Team Coach Xavier Tamarit have also parted company with the club.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Mauricio, Carlos and Xavier for their efforts during their time with Southampton, and wish them well for the future.

The club will look to appoint a new management team as soon as possible, with the search for a replacement already underway."

You would hope that search is far more advanced than the club is letting on, certainly you would think that they just haven't picked up the paper on Sunday and suddenly realised that we are in trouble, youwould hopw that they have been planning for the scenario that results wouldn't pick up for a while now, rather than just hoping that they will.

Certainly there will not be many Saints supporters disappointed by this decision and now it's been made hopefully the supporters can now get behind the team and perhaps hope that what has been an awful season so far might just have a happy ending with not only an escape from relegation but a Wembley appearance or two.

What is needed though is a quick burst, other clubs have seen a new manager have a short term impact and from that point of view Saints could go with a short term appointment, Maco Silva would top the supporters list although Mark Hughes is the early favourite amongst the bookies.

I would not say it is a happy day for Saints, I had hoped that Pellegrino might be a good fit for Saints, he certainly had every chance to do so, however although there were some mitigating circumstances, much of it was also of his own doing, he had a squad that really should have done a lot better.

It's a sprint for the line now and hopefully we have had that boost both on and off the pitch that will enable everyone to pull together and concentrate on the positives.

What to read next:

Will Saints Be Cast Adrift At The Bottom Before They Kick A Ball This Weekend
The Premier League table does not make good viewing unless you turn it upside down, Southampton are rock bottom 2 points adrift from the team above and 4 points off Ipswich 4th from bottom, so will that gap be worse before we kick off on Sunday.
Southampton V Liverpool The Preview
Usually the visit of Liverpool to The Dell & St Mary's was something that Saints fans looked forward to in the calendar, it was a game that often threw up a shock result for the home side, but as we go into the latest clash with the Merseyside men, there seems little hope of that this year.
Return Dates Set For Injured Southampton Duo Ramsdale And Bednarek
If you thought that things couldn't get worse for Russell Martin after the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then think again, injuries to two key players in the past fortnight have added to his woes.
Do Southampton Need To Recall Bella-Kotchap For Liverpool Clash
With Jan Bednarek seemingly set to miss his first Premier League game of the season, Saints are struggling for central defenders to take on the League leaders Liverpool at St Mary's, is it time to bring in a player out of the cold.
Does Shea Charles Prove That Russell Martin's Player Judgement is Flawed
There has been a lot of words typed on the internet about Russell Martin and his tactics, but is this just the reason as to why we are doing badly in the Premier League, last season there was a clear evidence that his player selection is not what it should be.
Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton
If the next few weeks were going to be tough with the potential absence of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, then they are now getting much worse with the news that a central defender has been injured in International duty over the weekend.
England England's Number 16
It was a dream England debut for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in front of his future Father in law ex Manchester United & Republic of Ireland legend Roy Keane, not only scoring but also nearly getting an assist.
Nick's Saints Saints Away Travel Lay On 6th Coach For Brighton
Brighton away was the first fixture Southampton fans looked for when they came out back in June so there was great disappointment when the game was switched to a Friday night as it means it's virtually impossible to get back on the train.
Saints Not Afraid Of Sacking Russell Martin Even If They Have To Pay
Recent reports have suggested that Southampton have not dispensed with the services of Russell Martin due to the alleged £12 million compensation cost. However it is now suggested that this is not the case and that if they do lose faith they are willing to pay the price.
Southampton Settle Russell Martin Compensation With Swansea City
Its dragged on a bit, but Saints have finally sorted out the compensation package with the Swans for Russell Martin's switch from South Wales to the South Coast, although the details of the settlement are rather vague.