Southampton have sacked Nathan Jones as manager of the club after he suffered a home defeat to Wolves at Saint Mary’s Stadium.
Despite playing with a one-man advantage after Wolves was reduced to 10 men, Southampton suffered a 1-2 defeat to Julen Lopetegui’s side, compounding the woes of the club as they battle to survive relegation.
Nathan Jones took charge of the club in November and was tipped to drag the club off the relegation battle in the Premier League.
After just three months into the job, he has been shown the exit door, following a long run of poor results which climaxed with the defeat to Wolves, who are also battling to survive relegation.
Nathan Jones took charge of 8 Premier League games as Southampton manager, and has won only one game, leaving the club in the relegation waters.
However, despite his poor run in the Premier League, he took Southampton to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup, eliminating Premier League giants Manchester City in the last eight of the competiton.
The Saints later got eliminated by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle in the semifinals, but Nathan Jones deserved the credit for a spectacular display that saw them bundle out Premier League champions from the competiton.
It is believed Southampton hierachy must have erred at the club’s abysmal Premier League performance against Wolves at home despite the big win against City.
They played against 10-man Wolves for over an hour but still suffered the defeat amidst the home advantage.
After taking a first-half lead, Jan Bednarek scored an own goal that cancelled out Carlos Alcaraz’s opener.
Portugal star Joao Gomes scored in the 87th minute to hand Wolves a win at Saint Mary’s, leaving Southampton bottom of the Premier League table.
After the game, Southampton confirmed in a press statement that they have decided to part ways with Nathan Jones. The club statement reads;
“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.”
Nathan Jones was reportedly keen on keeping his position despite the poor run of form. However, news of his sack will not come to him as a surprise as the club’s hierachy insist on keeping the Saints in the Premier League next season.
Nathan Jones came into the limelight when he nearly took Championship side Luton town to the Premier League last season. However, he has failed to replicate his successes at Luton at Saint Mary’s, leading to an unceremonious end to his Southampton reign.
He is now the second manager to be sacked by Southampton this, and the club are on the lookout to appoint a third manager as they hope to remain in the Premier League next season.
Southampton will face Chelsea in their next Premier League tie, before taking on Leeds, who are also battling to survive relegation.
