Pochettino to stay at Southampton

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he will remain as Southampton manager following the departure of chairman Nicola Cortese.

The Argentine’s future had been thrown into question by Cortese’s exit, but he reiterated his commitment to the club at a press conference on Thursday.

“I am fully committed to these players, to the staff and to these supporters. It would make no sense to leave this path,” he said.

Pochettino claimed last season that if Cortese ever left the club, he too would head for the exit door.

However, he now feels the situation has changed, revealing he is not willing to leave midway through a project.

“Firstly, I want to show my gratitude in Nicola Cortese,” Pochettino said. “He is a person who believed in me and brought me here.”

“Eight months ago, I was at the end of my first season,” he continued. “The situation now is completely different.

“We are in the middle of our project here at Southampton.”

Pochettino revealed Cortese had backed his decision to remain at St Mary’s Stadium.

“It has surprised me quite a bit. I knew nothing about his departure,” the manager added.

“He agrees with my decision to stay and there is nothing more that I can say at the moment.”

The role of chairman will now be filled by owner Katharina Liebherr, with Pochettino confirming the duo had held a brief conversation.

“I spoke (with the chairman) for five minutes before the press conference. She transmitted her trust and support to me,” he continued.

“She showed her support not only to me, but to all of my staff and everyone at the club.

“The Chairman wants the club to be stable and not to be affected by this.

“We are professionals, but we’re also human. It (Cortese’s departure) is a very sad blow, but we need to think about the game on Saturday (at Sunderland).”

Southampton currently sit ninth in the Premier League, but have won just two of their last 10 fixtures.