PAUL Sturrock today sensationally left Saints after only five months as manager.

There has been rampant speculation over his future as Saints manager over the past few weeks and the club announced this morning that he has left with immediate effect with Steve Wigley again taking over as caretaker boss.

Sturrock, who took over from Gordon Strachan in March after a successful spell in charge of Plymouth, was thought to be safe in his job after a 3-2 win over Blackburn at the weekend.

The bombshell news was broken by Saints this morning in a short statement which read: "Following discussions over the weekend, Paul Sturrock will be leaving Southampton Football Club by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. Steve Wigley will assume responsibility for preparation of the first team while the board considers the most appropriate management structure to take the club forward.

"Management in the Premier League is highly pressured and when this pressure is compounded by a constant stream of negative and unfair media coverage, which has taken on a life of its own recently, the position becomes untenable.

"Those people responsible for perpetrating this unsatisfactory situation, often in return for financial reward, should take a long hard look at themselves.

"There will be no further statement from the club ahead of important Premier League games against Bolton and Chelsea."

Saints' next game is against Bolton at St Mary's on Wednesday when there is likely to be a backlash against chairman Rupert Lowe for his part in the decision.

Glenn Hoddle, Phillipe Troussier, Gerard Houllier and Derby boss George Burley are the favourites to take over.

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