Southampton sacked Mauricio Pellegrino following a run of one win in 17 EPL matches.GETTY IMAGES
Southampton sacked Mauricio Pellegrino on Monday "in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League," according to Matt Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. The club was concerned that it was "sleepwalking" toward the drop "after a dismal run of one win in 17 league games" that leaves it a place and a point above the relegation zone. The board "acted reluctantly in the hope that a disappointing season can still be salvaged." It would like to secure a replacement in time for the FA Cup quarterfinal against Wigan Athletic on Sunday. Premier League "survival is the club's priority," however, so getting the right man in charge before its next league game "is of greater concern." Southampton's next Premier League match is on March 31. Pellegrino was a "popular figure" at St. Mary's, having replaced the "more austere" Claude Puel last summer, but the Argentine "failed to translate his preference for possession football into positive results" (LONDON TIMES, 3/13).
LEADING CANDIDATE: In London, Jeremy Wilson reported Mark Hughes is the "leading candidate" for the vacant managerial position at Southampton, with the club working to finalize an appointment "over the next 24 hours." Southampton approached Hughes after prioritizing the need for EPL experience and an "immediate ability" to galvanize its "flagging squad." It represents a "change of emphasis from the recent appointments" of Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman, Claude Puel and Pellegrino from outside of the EPL. Hughes has been out of work since being sacked by Stoke City in January. He has also managed Wales, Man City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers -- and is behind only Arsène Wenger, Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, David Moyes and Sam Allardye on the list of most Premier League games (TELEGRAPH, 3/13). FOX SPORTS reported nine Premier League managers have been sacked this season: Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace), Craig Shakespeare (Leicester City), Ronald Koeman (Everton), Slaven Bilic (West Ham), Tony Pulis (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Clement (Swansea City), Hughes (Stoke City), Marco Silva (Watford) and Pellegrino (AFP, 3/12).
