Gao to pick manager
Southampton owner Gao Jisheng will take personal charge of appointing the club’s next manager if they sack Mark Hughes.
The Chinese businessman has not been impressed with the two managers he has worked with since buying the club last year, Hughes and Mauricio Pellegrino, which led to the decision to dismiss Les Reed, the vice-chairman, and Martin Hunter, the technical director, this week. Gao’s daughter, Nelly, is on the Southampton board and the pair will work closely together to plan their next managerial move rather than relying on the club’s staff.