Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Mauricio Pochettino dismisses notion of a rift with Nigel Adkins
SOUTHAMPTON boss Mauricio Pochettino has rubbished suggestions that there is any ill-feeling between himself and the club's former boss Nigel Adkins.
Adkins was surprisingly axed by Southampton in January and the Argentinian was appointed as his replacement.
Since taking charge at St Mary's Stadium the ex-Espanyol boss has overseen wins over Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, while Adkins has just replaced the sacked Brian McDermott at Reading.
Pochettino said: "I have no problem with Nigel Adkins.
"I have full respect for him and for what he achieved at Southampton."
Adkins' first game back in management is on the south coast on Saturday but he has a mountain to climb to Reading up. The Royals are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety.
Pochettino's side sit in 12th position and are four points off the drop-zone.