The former Scotland international had been under pressure in his job for a number of weeks and rumours in the media were rife that the Saints would dispense of the services of Sturrock who only joined the club in March following a highly successful spell with Plymouth Argyle.
Glenn Hoddle is being linked with a return to the South Coast outfit but in the meantime coach Steve Wigley has been appointed as caretaker manager for the forthcoming matches against the Wanderers and for the away trip to big spending Chelsea.
Incredibly Sturrock was only given 13 games in charge during his time at St Mary's Stadium highlighting the huge expectation on Premiership managers in the modern game today.