Southampton last night appointed Mark Wotte as their new head coach, after his fellow Dutchman Jan Poortvliet left the club. Poortvliet resigned with immediate effect after less than eight months, having seen Saints struggle badly this season - particularly at home, where they have won just one of 14 league matches.

Southampton last night appointed Mark Wotte as their new head coach, after his fellow Dutchman Jan Poortvliet left the club.

Poortvliet resigned with immediate effect after less than eight months, having seen Saints struggle badly this season - particularly at home, where they have won just one of 14 league matches.

The south-coast club are currently second bottom in the Championship, and lost to relegation rivals Doncaster last Saturday.

The responsibility for lifting Southampton out of the relegation zone will now fall to Wotte, the former RKC Waalwijk manager, who had been serving as assistant to Poortvliet.

He will be in permanent charge with immediate effect - with his first game as boss at Norwich City on Tuesday night.

Poortvliet's experience in English football was short and disappointing.

The 53-year-old former Holland international had coaching experience in his homeland with RBC Roosendaal, Den Bosch, Telstar and Helmond Sport, but was banking on making a success of his spell in England.

Shortly after his appointment, Poortvliet had said: "This is my only chance to become a top coach."

Southampton have called a press conference for Monday, when further details of Wotte's appointment will be explained.