EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey
Nigel Adkins is on the verge of leaving Southampton, Goal.com can reveal.
The manager is believed to have been told that he is about to be dismissed despite steering the Saints to three points clear of the relegation zone.
Adkins’ representatives are in talks with the club about a severance package.
Goal.com understands that former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is Southampton’s choice to replace Adkins.
Newly promoted Saints suffered a torried start to their Premier League campaign, winning just one of their opening 11 games – losing eight – to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.
However, just two losses from the following 11 games saw them rise to 15th, with credible draws against Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks – the latter a second-half comeback from two goals down.
More to follow…