Nathan Jones admits the Southampton job was ‘a big learning curve’ after Saints’ relegation
Nathan Jones admits the Southampton job was ‘a big learning curve’ after Saints’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday – and the Welsh boss reveals what he would do differently
- Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday
- Former manager Nathan Jones has admitted he would take a different approach
- The Saints lost seven of eight games under the Welshman before he was sacked
Nathan Jones has admitted he would approach the Southampton job differently if given another chance by the club.
The Saints’ relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday after a 2-0 home defeat to Fulham.
Southampton sacked Jones, who took over from Ralph Hasenhuttl, in February after three months in charge after a poor run of form that saw them lose seven of their eight league games under the Welshman.
Speak against Sky Sports, Jones said: ‘I’ve had a lot of time to think, as I always do. I wanted to go there and be successful. That was not the case, and if you are not successful, it is important that you learn.
“I’ve looked back on my time and seen things I would have done differently. It’s one of those things and it’s been a big learning curve for me.”
Nathan Jones has admitted he would approach the Southampton job differently
The Saints lost seven of eight games under the Welshman before he was sacked in February
Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday afternoon
Jones left Southampton at the bottom of the Premier League after they took 15 points from a possible 66.
His successor Ruben Selles won two of his first three games in charge, but the losses returned and he was unable to come to the aid of the Saints.
Asked if he would have kept the club, Jones said: ‘Whatever I answer, I think that’s a bit of a loaded question.
“All I know is that if I had gotten the results I would have continued to improve the team because of the work we do. I believe in the work we do, but it’s hard to say because the last thing I want is another cup.’
On what he would have done differently, the 49-year-old added: “There are a lot of things – I wouldn’t go into it now, but definitely things when I first arrived. It’s a great club and I felt I had the confidence of the owners.
“I wish I could have bought myself a little more time to implement what I wanted and what they wanted me to implement.”
Saturday was the side’s final disappointment when they lost 2-0 to Fulham, with Carlos Vinicius opening the scoring just after the break.
Barely threatening Marco Silva’s side, they were labeled ‘hopeless’ by Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports, with Aleksandar Mitrovic returning from his eight-match suspension to make it 2–0 after 72 minutes.
At the full-time whistle, Saints players fell to the ground with boos, but in reality the club’s fate was accepted a week ago and preparations for next year can now begin.