New Southampton boss Nathan Jones admits it is a dream come true to be a Premier League manager. 

Welshman Jones, 49, has traded life at Championship side Luton for a three-and-a-half-year deal at St Mary's. 

And his first task will be to steer the struggling Saints clear of the bottom three following the club's decision to sack Ralph Hasenhuttl on Monday. 

Jones said: "I'm really proud to be given this opportunity. I know a lot about the club from back in the days of The Dell, to coming here to St Mary’s, and it’s a wonderful football club. 

"A lot of my family are Southampton fans, which doesn’t half help, and I feel really, really proud to be given the opportunity. I’m really looking forward to getting started. 

"Obviously, I wanted to manage in the Premier League, I’ve dreamt of that since I’ve become a coach or a manager. 

"But this club in particular — because of how it’s run, because of the structure, because of how they look deeper than just results — really appeals to me."

Jones spent five-and-a-half years across two spells in the Luton dugout, guiding the Bedfordshire club to the Championship play-off semi-finals last term. 

He takes over at St Mary's with the Saints lying 18th in the Premier League following a run of six defeats from nine games.

An ominous trip to Liverpool awaits in his first match in charge on Saturday — Southampton's final fixture before the World Cup break.