The 49-year-old replaces the departing Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was quickly sacked after Southampton's 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle United.

Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan follow Jones through the door at St. Mary's, joining the coaching set-up in the senior squad.

"I'm really proud to be given this opportunity," said the Welsh manager.

"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.

"Obviously, I've wanted to manage in the Premier League, I've dreamt of that since I've become a coach or 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 joins having had most of his managerial success at Luton, guiding them to promotion from League Two in 2018 and laying the foundations for them to get promoted to the Championship in 2019.

An unsuccessful spell at Stoke saw him return to the Hatters when they were in the second tier, and last season he guided them to the playoff semi-finals.

His first game in charge will be against Liverpool on Saturday.