Steve Wigley will almost certainly be sacked if Southampton are beaten at home by Portsmouth in Saturday's south-coast derby, losing his job after only 14 games as head coach.

An embarrassing 5-2 defeat at Watford in the League Cup on Tuesday has left him on the brink and Glenn Hoddle will be asked to take over if, or more likely when, Wigley goes.

With Southampton in the Premiership's bottom three and off the foot only on goal difference, Wigley needs to turn things around quickly. The circumstances of any defeat against Portsmouth would have to be considered, but he is virtually certain to go if his team lose at St Mary's to their fiercest rivals.

Even a draw could prove nothing more than a temporary reprieve for Wigley - Southampton's subsequent two matches are against their fellow strugglers Norwich City (away) and Crystal Palace (home), and he would have to win at least one to keep his job.

Hoddle will be offered the post if Wigley is dismissed or resigns from a position that it was never his long-term plan to hold. He said in the past that he had no wish to take charge of the team but insists now he is "not someone who walks away".

Hoddle had been the first choice of the Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe last season after Gordon Strachan's departure as manager, but the move was blocked, amid a backlash among some supporters, when two club directors opposed it.

Paul Sturrock and then Wigley were subsequently given the job. With Southampton now in serious danger of ending up outside the top flight for the first time since 1978, Hoddle's appointment would surely be supported by the board.

Few doubt the coaching skills of the former England manager, who remains unpopular among many fans at St Mary's for walking out to join Tottenham.

A Southampton spokesman said no statement on Wigley's future or any other matter was planned by the club, though even the coach was surprised at just how dreadful they were at Vicarage Road. "I didn't think we had a performance like that in us," Wigley said.

He added: "I haven't seen the chairman and I don't think too many from the club want to talk to me at the minute.

"I've had to deal with three inquests on this already but, of course, I am vulnerable and over the next few evenings I will take a long look at myself.

"Who knows how I will feel tomorrow, but I want to get the team ready for Portsmouth."