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Southampton's Mauricio Pellegrino not fearing for job

Mauricio Pellegrino has insisted he does not fear for his future at Southampton.

The Argentine manager has admitted he now faces the toughest challenge of his career, with Saints winless in 10 Premier League matches.

Southampton have not won in the league since thrashing Everton 4-1 on November 26, but Pellegrino remains confident he can reverse the south coast club's fortunes.

"I am not worried about my job, in the future," said Pellegrino, whose side face Tottenham on Sunday. "Even in difficult situations I enjoy my job.

"Obviously I am happier when the fans are proud of the team.

"But in football, in sport, if you don't want to be in difficult situations, don't play the game, stay at home and don't play the game.

"I want to play the game, even given the consequences. If you play the game in difficult situations, and move forward, you will be stronger.

"We are building something not just for the next two games, it's for the future. I feel I am growing, and I am learning too."

Asked if he now faces the toughest challenge of his managerial career, Pellegrino said: "Yes for sure, I expect always that my challenging moment, or my most important moment, hopefully will come.

"For this reason I am not worried about my job.

"I am worried about a lot of things, but not my job. You have to work and be ready to compete against everyone."

Pellegrino expects Southampton to bolster their forward line during this month's transfer window, but until then he backs his current squad to reverse their recent poor run of form.

The 46-year-old remains adamant he can handle the pressure building on him.

Asked how the job affects him personally, he said: "I don't know, depends on the day. Sometimes you win and you can't sleep.

"Sometimes you lose and you drink a glass of wine. Because you can be proud of what you did.

"I am proud when my players do their best, give everything. When they work as a team. This is my biggest challenge at this club, for them to work as a team.

"The result is important, but it's not everything sometimes. Massive games, challenging moments and how to approach these moments; it's my job.

"I feel alive helping my players approach this. It's not about tactical battle, it's about mental moments, how to approach difficult situations.

"And I'm enjoying it for sure. When you are too comfortable you feel you're not growing.

"The difficult moments are more important than the easier moments, 100 per cent. You can learn from the experiences. It's really constructive for everyone.

"When the players show the attitude on the pitch, I know the fans will support the players. And we have to create this energy right now."

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