Paul Sturrock leaves Saints

The Southampton manager Paul Sturrock has left the club by mutual consent, the Saints announced this morning.

The Southampton manager Paul Sturrock has left the club by mutual consent, the Saints announced this morning.

Reports had been circulating for more than a week that the former Plymouth manager - who only took over in March following Gordon Strachan's departure - had just two matches of the new season to prove his worth.

The club rejected this suggestion but, despite Saturday's 3-2 victory over Blackburn, Sturrock and the Saints have parted company.

"Following discussions over the weekend, Paul Sturrock will be leaving Southampton Football Club by mutual agreement with immediate effect," said a statement from chairman Rupert Lowe.