Maurico Pochettino wishes circumstances had been better over his arrival at Southampton.

Serious questions were raised about the timing of Nigel Adkins' dismissal after a five-match unbeaten run and replacing him with the South American.

But Pochettino, 40, told The Sun: "The only way I can answer is to let the games speak for me. I want to build a good team that gets results.

"The chairman, Nicola Cortese, called last week and invited me to become manager and promised me a 2½-year project, which excited me.

"Yes, of course, I felt sorry for Nigel. I've been in his position, losing my job after four years at Espanyol in November.

"Sometimes not only does a project end but so does a club's philosophy. The goals and targets change.

"A coach can suit one project - but not another."