Southampton's new manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he has a "challenge" to gain the backing of the club's supporters.

The 40-year-old, who was sacked from his management role at Espanyol in November, was appointed as the club's new boss just minutes after Nigel Adkins was sacked from his position.

"The kindness of the supporters is one of the biggest challenges I have," Pochettino said in a press conference. "Supporters are one of the biggest parts of having a club in general.

"I'm very passionate about the Premier League. I have seen many games and it is very attractive to me. I have spoken at length with people who know the league like Jose Mourinho, who is a good friend of mine, and he has told me that the best football in the world is being played here."

Pochettino has also insisted that the language barrier will not be a problem, despite the coach not being able to speak much English.