Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has urged fans to get behind the next manager after Nathan Jones' sacking.

Le Tissier played 16 seasons with Saints across the old First Division and the Premier League.

He said, “Let's be honest, I don't think it came as a huge surprise.

“Because he had been under a lot of pressure given the results we'd had, fans had turned against Nathan Jones a little bit.

“I've never been one of those people who calls for managers to be sacked because at the end of the day, they're human and you leave those things to those in charge. But I think the way things went, it was almost inevitable. I did feel a little bit sorry for him.

“What I have to say, really, in terms of the Saints fans is that whoever is appointed, to give ourselves the best chance of staying up, we've got to get behind whoever is appointed. And give ourselves a chance.

“The way that we got out of trouble back in the day, I'm talking 25 or 30 years ago now, is when we were very much together as a club. So you know the fans were right behind the players, the players gave their all for the fans and the club. And I think if you've got that, you give yourself a decent chance of getting out of trouble.

“So whoever is appointed, even if you don't agree with it, all I would say to the Saints fans is get behind it. Because you don't realise just how much influence your support might have on the players on the pitch.

"And I can tell you from being on that pitch, if you're sending a lot of positive vibes, positive energy, onto the pitch then it does make a huge difference."