Coach Pellegrino sorry to leave Southampton in danger

Mauricio Pellegrino said he was sorry to leave Southampton in danger of relegation after becoming on Monday the ninth Premier League manager this season to lose his job.Southampton managed only one win in Pellegrino’s last 17 Premier League matches at the helm, sliding to fourth from bottom in the table, one point above the relegation zone. The Argentine, who replaced Claude Puel, wrote an open letter to fans which was published on the club’s website yesterday.“From the beginning I tried to do my best every single day, I tried to give back to the club and tried to represent the club with pride,” the letter began.“Some moments we managed this, some moments we couldn’t, but we have been living a difficult season for many reasons.”Pellegrino did lead Southampton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will play third-tier Wigan Athletic on Sunday, but the priority for whoever takes over for the rest of the season will be to preserve their top-flight status.“I feel so sorry to leave the club in this situation, but when you don’t get results I understand the decision the club has to take,” he said.“I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season, I have enjoyed an amazing experience and I know that Southampton has everything required to move forward.”Southampton face a huge relegation clash in their next league match when they go to West Ham United, who are one place and two points better off in the table.Mark Hughes, who had a short spell at Southampton as a player, is one of the leading favourites to replace Pellegrino.‘Initial refusal to sell Van Dijk cost Pellegrino’Southampton’s refusal to sell defender Virgil van Dijk in the close season had disrupted their Premier League campaign which ultimately led to manager Mauricio Pellegrino being sacked, former club captain Matt Le Tissier has said. Southampton dismissed Pellegrino on Monday after just one victory in 17 league games under the manager.Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Newcastle United had left them a place and a point above the relegation zone and sealed the Argentine’s fate. Le Tissier suggested that the turmoil surrounding Dutchman Van Dijk’s future amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester City had affected the team’s performances early in the season.Van Dijk eventually moved to Liverpool in January for 75 million pounds ($104.24 million), according to British media reports.“I think that was probably something that, looking back with hindsight, the club would probably regret, trying to keep him in the summer,” said Le Tissier, who scored 209 goals for Southampton during his 16 years at the club.“They tried to do the right thing by the fans, in terms of not selling their best player every season, but sadly that did appear to backfire, and that situation probably didn’t help the performances in the first half of the season.”