UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
Nathan Jones’s tenure as manager of Southampton came to an end on Sunday following the club’s 2-1 home defeat to Wolves on Saturday in the English Premier League.
Jones took over the St. Mary’s club in November after moving there from Luton Town, a side he had managed well in the second tier of English football.
Jones’ Sacked After a Poor Tenure
During his brief tenure at St. Mary’s, Jones was in charge for 14 games in all competitions.
After guiding the team to the semi-finals of the League Cu (where Jones’ Saints were eliminated by Newcastle) , and the fifth round of the FA Cup, Jones was unable to lead the Saints to victory in any of their seven Premier League matches while he was the manager.
The south coast club are currently in last place in the league after suffering a defeat at home at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers by a score of 2-1.
Southampton released a statement on Sunday following the result, which sees Southampton placed as firm relegation contenders.
“Southampton Football Club can confirm it has parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Nathan Jones,” the club wrote in a short statement.
“First Team Coaches Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan have also left the club,” it said.
“First Team Lead Coach Rubén Sellés will take charge of training and prepare the team ahead of next weekend’s game against Chelsea,” it added.
Jones was hired to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl, who had been in charge for four years, with the club underperforming in the league.
However, in his eight games as manager, the 49-year-old only secured one win, against fellow strugglers Everton.
Wolves Defeat the Final Straw at St. Mary’s
The Saints’ most recent setback came against Wolves, despite taking the lead through January acquisition Carlos Alcaraz.
Wolves were reduced to ten men after Mario Lemina received a second yellow card, but an own goal by Jan Bednarek leveled the game later on.
Jones’ team was doomed in the 87th minute when Wolves new signing Joao Gomes found the net for the visitors and condemned Southampton to yet another loss. The side were poorly received by their home support following the result at St. Mary’s.
The loss left Southampton propping up the table, four points from safety and they now look fodder for relegation from the English top flight.
Following the game, Jones refused to acknowledge the fans, instead walking straight down the tunnel at the full time whistle.
“I have never done that in my life before,” he said in a post match interview, “In 390 games, I have never done that. But I am not sure if me going round clapping would have shown respect.”
“I couldn’t feel any more pressure than I have been under this week,” he said, “We have to keep fighting. I’m really disappointed and frustrated.”
“I thought for 60 minutes we were really good – first half we were excellent, probably as good as we’ve played at home,” Jones explained, “We were front-footed, aggressive, went after the game, created enough chances to have taken more of a lead, but we didn’t.”
Those words proved to be the manager’s last as the head man at Southampton.
Subscribe to Punditfeed on
Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
