Southampton, England – Nigel Adkins has been dismissed as manager of Southampton, and has been replaced by Argentine Mauricio Pochettino.
Adkins joined the Saints in September of 2010 and achieved successive promotions, taking the squad from League One to the Premiership, where they began the current season with a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City.
The move comes as a slight surprise as Southampton played well in battling back from a two-goal, second-half deficit to claim a 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday which leaves the club three points clear of the relegation zone.
"This decision has been made with the long-term ambition of Southampton Football Club in mind," Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese said in a statement. "Whilst we acknowledge the contribution Nigel has made during the past two years, for the club to progress and achieve our long-term targets, a change was needed."
Pochettino moves to England from Spanish side Espanyol, where he managed from 2009-2012 and will take charge when Southampton meets Everton at St. Mary's Stadium on Monday.
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