Former Southampton striker Guido Carrillo has suggested that he made a mistake in moving to the Saints and highlighted the sacking of Mauricio Pellegrino as the reason for his struggles at St Mary’s.

Carrillo arrived at Southampton in January 2018 from Monaco for a club-record £19 million. However, the forward struggled to establish himself as an important member of the Saints' squad during his time with the club. He eventually secured a permanent move away from the south coast in the summer, joining La Liga side Elche

Carrillo believes Pellegrino's sacking ended Southampton prospects

Carrillo was a key figure in Pellegrino’s side during the first few months after he signed for the club. However, the forward still struggled to show any real form, averaging just one shot, 0.6 key passes and losing the ball 8.3 times per game in his seven Premier League appearances in 2017/18 (Sofascore).

Pellegrino was eventually dismissed by the Saints in March 2018 after a dismal run of just one win in 17 league matches. His replacement Mark Hughes did not fancy the 29-year-old and he was sent out on loan to Leganes in the summer of 2018. The forward was again loaned out to the La Liga outfit by Ralph Hasenhuttl last term before his permanent departure this summer.

Speaking to Informacion, via Hampshire Live, Carrillo revealed that Southampton’s decision to sack Pellegrino so soon into his time at the club meant it was too difficult for him to establish himself in the Saints' squad. He added that he regards the transfer as a mistake but a lesson from which he has learned.

He said: "Today more than ever, I feel that I have made the most correct decision after a misstep in English football.

"I arrived at a difficult time from Southampton, the coaching staff that led me was dismissed in the first days, and then I already managed to establish myself. They are lessons that one has in their career and from which they also learn."

Carrillo mistake has helped to alter Saints' transfer approach

Carrillo cannot be described as anything other than an expensive flop for Southampton, but his signing has managed to alter the Saints’ approach in the market. A couple of poor transfer windows and managerial appointments had set the club back and saw them narrowly avoid relegation during both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.

However, since Hasenhuttl’s arrival, the Saints have managed to invest in signings which are proving to be far more beneficial. The likes of Danny Ings, Che Adams and Jannik Vestergaard among others have managed to help Southampton re-establish themselves as a team capable of mounting a top-half challenge, so Carrillo's abortive signing was at least useful in helping to alter the club's transfer focus.

In other news, find out which key Saints figure has been touted for a potential move by clicking here.