Nathan Jones in talks to become new Southampton manager

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Nathan Jones in talks to become new Southampton manager

Southampton have been given permission to speak to Luton Town manager Nathan Jones about succeeding Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Sources confirmed to 90min on Sunday evening that Southampton had decided to part ways with Hasenhuttl after the 4-1 hammering against Newcastle at St Mary's - although it's understood that the club's hierarchy were already considering a change prior to the defeat.

That decision was confirmed by a statement from the club on Monday morning, with Southampton in the Premier League relegation zone after winning just one of their last five games.

90min understands that River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo and former Bayer Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane were among those considered, but Southampton have instead turned to Luton Town manager Jones.

Sources confirmed to 90min not long after Hasenhuttl's departure that Southampton had been given permission to speak to Jones - their number one target - and Luton have confirmed in a statement that the 49-year-old has been allowed to discuss terms.

Jones is currently in his second spell at Kenilworth Road after a year-long spell at Stoke City failed to work out. He has previously led The Hatters to the second tier of English football from League Two - including back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019 - and was a beaten semi-finalist in last year's Championship play-offs.

Luton are currently eighth in the Championship, just two points off the play-off places.