David Moyes has said that he was "very surprised" by Southampton's decision to sack Nigel Adkins yesterday.

The Saints installed former Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino instantly and the Argentinian's first game will be against Everton on Monday.

Moyes said: "I'm very surprised. I was talking to my staff during the week and complimenting how well Nigel Adkins had done. It was always going to be difficult after two promotions. Anybody who does that coming up, it's a long way up.

"He'd just got himself out of the bottom three and moved up and I don't think there would have been many people looking at Nigel Adkins to be sacked in that position."

Monday's game at St Mary's kicks off at 8pm.