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Nigel Adkins has been sacked as manager of Southampton this morning.

As MirrorFootball predicted yesterday, former Espanyol boss Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new first team manager, the club have confirmed.

A statement on the club website read: "Southampton Football Club has this morning appointed Mauricio Pochettino as First Team Manager, having relieved Nigel Adkins of his managerial duties."

"Pochettino will take charge of training on Saturday ahead of his first game as Southampton First Team Manager on Monday evening (21st December) against Everton in the Barclays Premier League.

"The Club would like to thank Nigel Adkins for his service over the past three seasons, and wish him well for the future."

Saints executive chairman, Nicola Cortese said: “This decision has been made with the long-term ambitions of Southampton Football Club in mind. 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.

“Mauricio is a well-respected coach of substantial quality who has gained a reputation as an astute tactician and excellent man manager. I have every confidence that he will inspire our talented squad of players to perform at the highest possible level.

“He also shares my belief that the most successful clubs are built by nurturing young players through a development system that provides a clear path to the First Team, thereby creating a culture that keeps them at the Club for the long term. This is an approach he has employed with great success in the past and I look forward to him bringing that experience and expertise to Southampton.”

Pochettino added: “This is the kind of opportunity that any coach would relish. Southampton is a club with great heritage, and an even more exciting future. There is a clear vision to take the Club to a new era of sustained success in the Premier League, and beyond, which I’m delighted to be part of.”

Adkins joined Southampton from Scunthorpe in 2010 and he guided the Saints into the Premier League with back-to-back promotions.

Southampton started slowly on their return to the top flight but Adkins departs with the club three points outside the relegation zone after a run of just two defeats from their last 12 league games.

Adkins' final game in charge was Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea, when Southampton came from two goals down to claim a point.

What can Saints fans expect from Mauricio Pochettino? Our Spanish football expert David Cartlidge has the lowdown on the new man at St Mary's.

Who is Mauricio Pochettino?

1972: March 2 - Born in Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina

1989: Begins his senior playing career at Newell's Old Boys.

1994: Moves to Europe where he joins Spanish club Espanyol.

1998: Make his Argentina debut, going on to earn 20 caps.

2000: May 27 - Helps Espanyol to the Copa del Rey title with a 2-1 win over Valencia.

2001: Joins Paris St Germain.

2002: June 7 - Gives away the penalty to hand England a 1-0 win over Argentina during the group stage of the World Cup.

(Image: Getty)

2003: Moves to Bordeaux.

2004: Returns to Espanyol.

2006: April 12 - Helps Espanyol to the Copa del Rey title with a 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza.

June 8 - Retires from football after rescinding the final year of his contract at Espanyol. He made 276 league appearances and scored 13 goals for the Catalan club.

2009: January 20 - Named as Espanyol coach with the club in the drop zone. Guides them to 10th by the end of the season.

2010: May - Espanyol finish 11th in his first full year in charge.

2011: May - Espanyol finish eighth in La Liga - a place outside the European places.

2012: May - Avoids relegation by five points as Espanyol finish 14th.

November 26 - Sacked as Espanyol manager with the club bottom of the La Liga table.

2013: January 18 - Named Southampton manager just two days after Nigel Adkins led the club to a 2-2 draw at European champions Chelsea.