Southampton are reportedly considering the future of head coach of Nathan Jones less than four months after his appointment.
The 49-year-old replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl in early November, but he is yet to spark a revival with the Saints in their quest to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Jones has lost six of his first seven Premier League games in charge of Southampton, who remain rooted to the foot of the table and three points adrift from safety.
According to talkSPORT, Southampton's owners Sport Republic discussed Jones's future at the club after watching on from the stands as the Saints suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat away against Brentford on Saturday.
However, no managerial change is imminent at St Mary's and the Welshman is set to be given a "stay of execution".
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Jones's post-match comments raised eyebrows following the defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium, after he labelled himself as one of the best coaches in Europe last season during his time with Championship outfit Luton Town.
"I've compromised because of fans, and so on, a few little things but – no more. I've been very successful playing a fluent style, Luton were a real aggressive front-footed side," Jones told reporters on Saturday.
"Statistically, there weren't many better than me around Europe in terms of aggression, clean sheets, defending the box, balls in the box, xG, all those sort of things.
"We were pound-for-pound the best because we were spending next to nothing and producing so much. And I've gone away from that.
"Maybe it's because of the Premier League or how things look – players, internationals and stuff like that. I've had to compromise certain things and I'm not going to do that again."
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Jones's comments are believed to have not gone down well with a number of first-team players and supporters, but talkSPORT adds that sporting director Rasmus Ankersen is set to stand by the former Luton boss for the time being.
Ankersen was one of the main figures behind the appointment of Jones, but he could soon be the man to relieve the Welshman of his duties if results fail to improve in the coming weeks.
Jones is now the bookmakers' favourite to be the next Premier League to lose his job following the dismissal of Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch on Monday.
Southampton, who were recently eliminated at the semi-final stage from the EFL Cup, will bid to turn their fortunes around when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to St Mary's for a Premier League clash on Saturday.
Away encounters against Chelsea and Leeds then follow, before an FA Cup fifth-round tie on home soil against either Jones's former side Luton or Grimsby Town on March 1.
Oliver Thomas
