Southampton have confirmed Rubén Sellés has been appointed as manager until the end of the season after convincing the hierarchy he can steer the club clear of relegation.
The 39-year-old was placed in caretaker charge for the second time this season after the sacking of Nathan Jones this month and made no secret of his wish to take the position on a permanent basis after a move for Jesse Marsch collapsed.
Sellés led Southampton to a shock victory at Chelsea last weekend and will take the team at Leeds on Saturday hoping for a win that could lift them out of the relegation zone. Southampton are bottom and Leeds one place above them.
The Spaniard, who joined Ralph Hasenhüttl’s staff as part of a coaching reshuffle last summer, took charge of the Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory over Sheffield Wednesday after Hasenhüttl’s sacking in November.
“I do not need to prove anything,” Sellés said on Friday. “I just think that we have a very, very, very good group inside to work and it is my pleasure to lead.”