JAN Poortvliet sensationally quit as Saints boss tonight.

The Dutchman walked out of St Mary’s after just eight months in the job.

A club statement said he had taken the decision to stand down from his position in response to the team’s poor home form.

Academy director and reserve team manager Mark Wotte becomes head coach and will take charge of the team for Tuesday’s crunch trip to Norwich City.

It comes after a week of recriminations following the dismal 2-1 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers which made relegation to League One a real possibility.

See tomorrow’s Daily Echo for reaction.