Journalist Ian McCullough has claimed that touted new Southampton manager Nathan Jones wouldn’t be a good fit at the club if he was handed the job.
After the last round of Premier League fixtures, the Saints opted to sack Ralph Hasenhuttl amid a poor run of form that had seen his side lose six of their last nine league outings.
Indeed, a 4-1 hammering at home against Newcastle United was the final nail in the coffin for the Austrian, and it hasn’t taken long for Southampton to be heavily linked with a replacement.
Luton Town boss Jones seems to be the frontrunner for the role and has even been given permission to speak to the south coast club about taking over.
However, McCullough has warned that Jones’ style may be better suited to being in a small pond and has suggested his personality could be an issue, too.
The journalist said on Twitter: “They usually get appointments largely spot on so maybe deserve the benefit of the doubt – but his playing style is agricultural at best and much more suited in a smaller fish pond.
“His intense personality is going to be interesting to see with Prem players.”
The 49-year-old helped lead Luton to an impressive Championship campaign last term where they made the play-offs but lost against Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals (via The Athletic).
He also has senior management experience with Stoke City, though he has never taken charge of a club in the Premier League, so this new role, if he takes it, would certainly be a step up.
While McCullough notes his ‘agricultural’ playing style, it has also been described as ‘physical and nasty’ elsewhere, so it remains to be seen as to how well that would translate on the south coast.
However, with the rumours so strong, it might not take too long to see how it all works out.
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