Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese has hit back at Matt Le Tissier's claims that the club was wrong to sack manager Nigel Adkins.

Saints legend Le Tissier described Cortese as "cowardly" following the surprise decision to replace Adkins with Mauricio Pochettino two weeks ago.

"I don't even know him. He's never met me," The Sun quotes Cortese as saying.

"Anyone associated with the club who has negativity towards me should ask themselves if this is beneficial for the club.

"You never hear me saying anything bad about them. Where does he get the right to make that judgement?"

Southampton are currently in 15th place in the Premier League table.