Saints have sacked manager Mark Hughes.

The Welshman learned his fate this morning after arriving at Staplewood.

Former Saints goalkeeper and current first team coach Kelvin Davis will take training and be in charge for the Wednesday night fixture at Tottenham with Saints hoping to have a new man in charge for the crucial visit to Cardiff on Saturday.

Hughes arrived at St Mary’s in March on a short-term contract after the sacking of Mauricio Pellegrino and helped Saints to eight points in eight games at the end of the campaign to stave off the threat of Premier League relegation.

He was handed the job permanently in the summer but it has been a difficult start to the current campaign with Saints having won just once in 14 matches to find themselves in the bottom three.

Hughes departs with a record of three wins in 22 top flight matches with the club.

It will be another costly decision, though, with Hughes and his staff, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, leaving just six months after signing three-year contracts.

In a statement, Saints said: “Southampton Football Club can today confirm it has parted company with First Team Manager Mark Hughes.

“Assistant First Team Manager Mark Bowen and Assistant First Team Coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also left the club.

“We would like to express our thanks to Mark and his staff for all of their efforts during their time at St Mary’s.

“The search for a new manager to take the club forward is already under way.

“First Team Assistant Coach Kelvin Davis will lead the team for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.”