SPEAKING ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge, interim Saints boss Ruben Selles threw his hat into the ring for the permanent position, insisting that he wanted the job and was capable of taking over from the recently sacked Nathan Jones.

Jones was given his marching order after just one win in his first eight Premier League games and while it seemed that former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch was set to replace him, talks with the American broke down, leaving Selles in charge for this weekend’s clash with Chelsea.

And asked whether he wants the position on a permanent basis, the 39-yer-old Spaniard didn’t hold back.

"I want to be the manager," he said. "I think I'm as capable of doing that as any other, but it's not my decision. I have the team now and we are really working hard to do our best.

"The club will have the patience to make a decision and they will make a decision but, of course, I would be happy to do the job. 

“I have been feeling ready for the last four years, so it's no different now, it's just the scenario is bigger than it was before. But I feel comfortable, I think I’m an honest person, I try to be very clear with what we do and I think I’ve built myself up to be with you here today.

"I’ve been through all the levels in football, not in England, but through the rest of the world and that is a learning path that I’ve very proud of. I have a lot of personal experience coaching, so I think it’s a natural thing.”

Daily Echo: Nathan Jones was sacked by Saints by after 94 days in charge.Nathan Jones was sacked by Saints by after 94 days in charge. (Image: Stuart Martin)

Selles initially joined the club in the summer to work with then-manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and after the Austrian was sacked, he led Saints for November’s League Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday as Jones watched on from the St Mary’s stands ahead of his unveiling.

But with the Jones era ending quickly and disastrously, Selles has been handed another opportunity. He is said to be highly regarded within the club and amongst the players but he has a mammoth task ahead to keep Saints in the Premier League.

“When I communicate with the players - and it was the same last time with Ralph - I tell them ‘I know sometimes these situations are temporary but I’m going to take it like I’m going to be here for the next 10 years.’” Selles added.

“So I need everybody to follow and work as hard as they can in the same direction; from the security team to the captain. That’s what we did. 

“We always know there’s a lot of noise but I’ve had clear communication between me, Martin (Semmens), and the club. It’s simple because we just focus on what we can do and we can’t focus on anything else.”