SAINTS AXE PELLEGRINO
Saints target Marco
SOUTHAMPTON are ready to turn to Marco Silva to save them from relegation after sacking boss Mauricio Pellegrino last night.
Pellegrino was given the boot after only nine months in charge following a dismal run of one Premier League win in 17 matches, leaving Saints one point above the drop zone.
Accused
Saturday’s 3-0 drubbing at fellow strugglers Newcastle, when the Argentine accused some of his stars of ‘not trying’, was the last straw for the Saints board.
Silva was on the south coast side’s hit list when Pellegrino’s predecessor Claude Puel was axed last summer.
And the Portuguese is available after failing to see out the season at Watford.
But Saints will have to fight off competition from Lisbon giants Benfica, who want Silva as their new boss next season.
Silva caught the eye of vice-chairman of football Les Reed with his failed effort to keep Hull in the Premier League last season.
Fulham’s Slavisa Jokanovic and Ostersunds chief Graham Potter are also on the Hampshire club’s radar.
Pellegrino was given the target of Europa League qualification when he was named as Puel’s successor.
Reed had been willing to stick with him until the end of the season but the manner of Saints’ capitulation at St James’ Park forced him into a U-turn.
Saints aim to have his replacement in place in time for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Wigan.
A statement read: “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.”