Former Watford boss Marco Silva is the early favourite to succeed Mauricio Pellegrino after his Southampton sacking

Southampton have sacked manager Mauricio Pellegrino after just one Premier League win in their last 17 league outings.

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at relegation rivals Newcastle United proved the final straw for the 46-year-old Argentine, who has been dismissed just six days ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Wigan Athletic.

The Saints have been left just one point above the English top-flight’s bottom three, with eight games remaining of the 2017-18 Premier League season, and visit fellow strugglers West Ham United next in the league on March 31.

Ex-Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

The club have confirmed Pellegrino’s assistant manager Carlos Compagnucci and assistant first-team coach Xavier Tamarit have also left St Mary’s Stadium.

Former Watford boss Marco Silva is the immediate favourite to succeed the Argentine on the south coast, according to the Daily Mail, having been on Southampton’s shortlist last year, before the 40-year-old opted for Vicarage Road instead.

However, he was sacked by The Hornets back in January, shortly after being severely linked with succeeding Ronald Koeman at fellow Premier League outfit Everton.

Former Watford manager Marco Silva.

Ex-Valencia, Estudiantes, Independiente and Alaves boss Pellegrino signed a three-year contract with Southampton back in June, but has guided The Saints to just five league wins all campaign – only rock-bottom West Bromwich Albion have celebrated victory less in the Premier League this term (3).

Written by Dan Church Follow @DJChurch94