Pellegrino axed as Saints seek to avoid drop

MAURICIO PELLEGRINO was sacked by Southampton last night just six days before an FA Cup quarter-final. The Saints dismissed the Argentine in the wake of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle which left them hovering a point above the Premier League drop zone with eight games left. Pelegrino’s assistant manager Carlos Compagnucci and assistant first-team coach Xavier Tamarit have also left as Southampton confirmed the search for a replacement was already under way. Marco Silva, sacked by Watford, is among the candidates available to take over at St Mary’s. He was on the shortlist last year before he opted to join Watford when he left Hull after relegation. Saints acted in an attempt to preserve their top-flight status. They have only three games to play at home, including tough fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City. Pellegrino (above) won only five of 30 Premier League games and only once in the last 17. Pellegrino would have been on course for a return to Wembley if Southampton were to beat League One promotion-chasers Wigan at the DW Stadium on Sunday. ‘It is something that has been talked about by Southampton fans for a while,’ said former Saints defender Francis Benali on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘The club are thinking hopefully it’s not too late for someone to come in and turn things around.’ Meanwhile Alan Pardew was clinging on as West Bromwich Albion manager last night after crisis talks at the club. Albion’s board discussed Pardew’s position but the 56-yearold is poised to continue this week. With the club seemingly doomed to relegation Pardew had admitted they might feel they need a new manager.