Nigel Adkins learned of his sacking at Southampton on television.

The Sunday Mirror says Adkins is understood was watching TV and saw a report that he had been sacked moments before chairman Nicola Cortese swung the axe face-to-face.

A source said: "Nigel is philosophical about things and was told it's nothing personal.

"He's known it could have been coming at any time for a few weeks. But it's still a horrible way to find out. It's been hard to work like that but he's done exceptionally well."