Nathan Jones was sacked by Southampton after a horrendous run of seven Premier League defeats in eight games left the club stranded at the bottom of the standings and facing relegation. Jones leaves the Saints after 94 days as head coach, only three months into a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Southampton confessed they had no choice but to replace Jones on Saturday night. Shortly after the Welshman walked straight down the tunnel. During a late home loss to 10-man Wolves, after which he appeared resigned to his destiny.
Sports Republic, the owners of Southampton, quickly picked Jones as their first-choice candidate to succeed Ralph Hasenhüttl in November, based on his remarkable work at Luton Town during two separate stints, but recognized his situation was untenable after a fourth consecutive home defeat.
Tuesday at a pre-scheduled supporters’ conference, the club’s leadership revealed they were displeased with Jones’s divisive statements after the loss at Brentford, in which he vehemently defended his record.
Sports Republic’s chief executive officer, Rasmus Ankersen, told supporters on Tuesday. “We’ll back any manager until we don’t think he can improve the team, then we’ll plan for it.”
Southampton fired Nathan Jones
Many Southampton supporters viewed Jones’ selection as disappointing, as the 49-year-old failed to win over supporters. He lost nine of the fourteen matches he managed in all competitions and alienated fans with his comments.
The Saints wanted to give Jones more time to work with their roughly £60 million January acquisitions, namely Kamaldeen Sulemana. But results and fan sentiment compelled them to act. Jones had the shortest managerial tenure in the history of Southampton.
Southampton was relegated to the Championship for the first time since 2012 when Sports Republic purchased the club in January 2022 to rebuild them into a top-ten outfit. Alan Sheehan and Chris Cohen, both of whom accompanied Jones from Luton, have departed the club. Although former FC Copenhagen assistant Rubén Sellés, who was appointed as first-team head coach as part of a coaching staff restructure last summer, will once again take interim command. Next Saturday, Southampton will play at Chelsea on the road.
Despite defeating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final eight and remaining in the FA Cup. Southampton’s form this season has been terrible. Since the end of October, they have only won once in the league. Against Everton, who are also in the bottom three.
