Nigel Adkins stabbed in the back by Southampton as Argentina Mauricio Pochettino steps in as manager

Nigel Adkins, the manager who guided Southampton to back-to-back promotions, who has not suffered defeat in five Premier League games and who masterminded a draw at the home of the European champions three days ago, was sacked on Friday and replaced by an Argentine best known among English fans for fouling Michael Owen in Sapporo at the 2002 World Cup.