Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has vowed to stand by under-fire manager Mauricio Pellegrino despite a poor run of Premier League form.

The Saints find themselves level on points with the bottom three after going nine games without a win, most recently losing 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace.

Supporters have called for Pellegrino's head but, having only brought in the 46-year-old from Alaves in the summer, Southampton chief Krueger insists that he himself is more deserving of the blame for his side's disappointing campaign.

Citing the uncertainty of Virgil van Dijk's future, which finally came to an end earlier this week, Kruger said: "I am ultimately responsible for where we are today. Knock my head off first.

"I think Mauricio has dealt with the [Van Dijk] situation brilliantly. He never used it as an excuse. He's not an excuse guy and we like the human being he is, the coach he is, and the potential for our squad moving forward with him in the lead.

"To blame an individual right now and take an easy cop out is the wrong approach. It's not how we work. Everybody needs to do a few percentage points better.

"The decisions we made in the summer needed time. In our club we communicate regularly and we discuss very openly and honestly the evolution and I know Mauricio knows he has the full backing."

Pellegrino is expected to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks thanks to the £75m brought in from Van Dijk's sale to Liverpool.