Sothampton Football Club has announced its surprise decision to sack manager, Alan Pardew, just three games in to the new season! The news broke Saint Mary’s on Monday morning, just two days after the Saints had beaten Bristol Rovers away to record their first win of the season. However, in a statement from the club, it would appear that Pardew was not deemed the man to deliver promotion to the south coast club. It said “in order for the club to achieve its well known target, it is essential to make changes to the first team management and coaching.” As such, first team coach, Wally Downes and goalkeeping coach, Stuart Murdoch, have also been sacked.

Pardew took over at St Mary’s in July 2009 following Southampton’s relegation from the Championship and despite a ten point deduction, the former Reading, West Ham and Charlton boss managed to guide the club to a respectable 7th place finish. As a result, the Saints were strong favourites to win the League One title this season and despite only four points from their opening three games, the sudden decision must raise a few eyebrow amongst the Saints faithful.

The news comes just two weeks after the death of Southampton’s owner Markus Liebherr and as the club adjusts to major changes that will now surely follow behind the scenes following that sad news, they now find themselves having to adjust on the field too!

The search for Pardew’s repalcement begins with the news that Dean Wilkins, one of the team’s coahces will takeover as caretaker boss whilst a permanent manager is sought. It is not thought that Wilkins will be a front runner for the job after he failed to make an impact when manager at Brighton for two years until being sacked in 2008. One obvious name likely to be linked to the job is for Glenn Hoddle to make a return to club after a successful spell in charge ten years, especially given his current work with young footballers in Spain given Southampton’s intention to improveme football development.

Next Southampton Manager Odds with VC Bet.com – 03/09/2010 – Click To bet

E Howe – 5/2
P Brown – 5/2
G Zola – 4/1
P Hart – 7/1
P Tisdale – 9/1
T Mowbray – 10/1
A Shearer – 10/1
G Hoddle – 12/1
G Southgate – 12/1
P Buckle – 12/1
I Dowie – 14/1
J Magilton – 14/1
K Blackwell – 14/1
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All betting markets supplied by Victor Chandler

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