Southampton sack Nathan Jones after just three months at the helm

Nathan Jones has been sacked as Southampton manager following his side’s 2-1 defeat by Wolves on Saturday.

Jones replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl at St Mary’s in November, but has been relieved of his duties just three months later after winning just one of his eight league games in charge.

The 49-year-old did lead Southampton to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, but they were eliminated from the competition by Newcastle at the last-four stage.

The final straw came on Saturday when the Saints hosted Wolves, and failed to hang onto a first-half lead despite playing against 10 men for over an hour.

Jan Bednarek’s own goal cancelled out Carlos Alcaraz’s opener, and Joao Gomes struck three minutes from time to hand Wolves all three points.

Nathan Jones has been sacked by Southampton after just three months in charge

Southampton slumped to disastrous defeat against 10-men Wolverhampton on Saturday

Jones cut a forlorn figure in the Southampton dugout after defeat against Wolves

The result leaves Southampton bottom of the table, and the club’s hierarchy have decided to act now to try and preserve their Premier League status.

A short statement posted on the club’s official website on Sunday morning read: ‘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.

Jones was left in a helpless position following Saturday’s home defeat against fellow relegation contenders Wolves as the visitors scored twice late-on to secure a surprise victory on the south coast.

Unsavoury chants demanding the Welshman was removed from his post echoed around St Mary’s with Southampton remaining cemented to the bottom of the top-flight table and relegation becoming an evermore realistic possibility.

Jones was adamant that he would continue to fight to keep his position following what turned out to be his last match in charge, telling Sky Sports: ‘I couldn’t feel any more pressure than I have been under this week. We have to keep fighting.’

‘I’m really disappointed and frustrated. We created chances and we looked a proper team in the first half. We should be in control of the game with 10 men.’ 

Southampton lost seven of their last eight league outings under Jones’ guidance

Jones insisted he wanted to ‘keep fighting’ at Southampton but has been released from his role

‘We have to show a little bit more quality and killer instinct. 

‘We had 17 shots. We had a glorious chance to go 2-0 up. When we don’t take that chance and put balls over the bar then it’s always going to be tough.’

However, his tenure in charge of Southampton has now been brought to an unceremonious end as Jones was sacked from his first role in the English top-flight.

His exploits that almost saw him take Championship Luton to the Premier League last season earned him a move to the club following Hasenhuttl’s departure. But a torrid run of seven league defeats in eight games has seen the club act quick to remove Jones.

Southampton’s stars have failed to get to grips with the tactics adopted by Jones

Jones has been released from his role at Southampton with the club now searching for their third manager of the season

The Saints board led by Rasmus Ankersen are now in the process of recruiting a third manager of the season with the club needing to act quick with crucial games against Chelsea and Leeds just around the corner.

Frank Lampard could be one possibility after his January sacking at Everton while Steven Gerrard is another manager out of work after his contract was terminated at Aston Villa earlier in the season.