New Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has paid "credit" to former boss Nigel Adkins for the work that he did to take the Saints up to the Premier League.

The Spaniard, who took over from Adkins last Friday, had a positive start to his tenure by holding Everton to a goalless draw at St Mary's last night.

"I have the maximum respect for the previous manager," BBC Sport quotes Pochettino as saying. "It's never nice to take over from another manager who's been let go, but that's just how it's been.

"I credit the previous manager for the work he did here. But now I really want to focus on my tenure here and the future of the club here under me, and the goals we've set out to achieve."

Southampton's next challenge comes at Old Trafford next Wednesday when they take on Manchester United.