Southampton parted company with Mauricio Pellegrino with the Saints just a point above the Premier League relegation zone and could turn to Mark Hughes.

After just nine months and five Premier League wins, Mauricio Pellegrino’s time as Southampton manager has come to an end.
The Saints have been toothless all season and appear to be sleepwalking towards relegation. Saturday’s limp 3-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United proved to be a fitting final straw for a manager who was a major disappointment on the South Coast after arriving having taken Alaves to the Copa Del Rey final last season.
And with just eight games to go in the current campaign, it seems Southampton are looking at an experienced Premier League manager to get them out of trouble.

Southampton want a manager who can have an immediate impact and also fit into their philosophy of giving chances to young players, and it is understood the former Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and QPR boss fits the bill.
But Hughes, a former Southampton striker who was close to getting the St Mary’s job back in 2004, will arrive under scrutiny having been sacked following a dismal run of results at relegation rivals Stoke City just two months ago.

Interestingly, the Telegraph adds that Slaven Bilic is keen on returning to the Premier League after being given his marching orders by West Ham United in November. But the popular Croatian is not understood to be on Southampton’s shortlist right now.
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