Changing a manager mid-season carries risks as well as rewards. Southampton and Wolves serve as recent case studies. In pulling Wolves from trouble, Julen Lopetegui has shown the benefits of elite experience. Nathan Jones, in losing seven from eight Premier League matches, has developed a rather different reputation. His xG anecdotes from Luton Town and folksy Welsh mining community origin stories do little to convince the Southampton public when their team remains bottom of the Premier League.
“I have no idea,” Jones answered when asked if this had been his last match in charge. His team had provided another example of how not to defend a lead against opposition reduced to 10 men. With 20 minutes to go, blind panic set in, when Jones seemed to have victory over the former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla coach within his grasp.
