Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino will today answer questions on his future at Southampton following the resignation of influential executive chairman Nicola Cortese. Cortese's exit from St Mary's was confirmed on Wednesday evening and follows rumours of a power struggle with club owner Katarina Liebherr. And now, there are serious concerns over the future of Saints manager Pochettino, who has repeatedly stated his loyalty to Cortese in the past, say Team Talk. The Argentinian said last May, when the Italian-Swiss banker's departure was first mooted:
"I have great respect as well for Southampton, the club and the supporters, but Nicola has been the one that has placed his trust and faith in me. "We are on the same wavelength about the club and the future of the club so it really would not make any sense if I was at this club and he was not."
Pochettino is believed to have met with Liebherr on Wednesday but his future - even for the remainder of the season - appears unresolved. He is expected to address the issue of Cortese's exit and what ramifications that has on his own position at a press conference today, ahead of the weekend clash with Sunderland. Cortese has been widely credited for the recent successes at Southampton after becoming executive chairman in 2009, overseeing their promotion into the Premier League. He was also instrumental in the appointment of Pochettino, who replaced Nigel Adkins exactly one year ago this week. Pochettino guided the Saints to a 14th placed finish last season, with Southampton ending their debut season back in the topflight five points clear of the relegation zone.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
