Two of the club's most trusted confidante's in the media have indicated that it is now only a matter of time for Claude Puel as manager of Southampton Football Club.
Most news stories whether in the written media, broadcasting or online tend to all follow an earlier story usually with little substance and then the story esculates so that it starts to look like it's true.
In the case of Southampton Football Club there are three main journalists who are close to the club and are the ones that when they put out a story it has some substance, they are Adam Leitch of the Daily Echo, Adam Blackmore of Radio Solent and Jeremy Wilson formerly of the Echo and now Deputy Football Correspondent at the Telegraph.
This morning apparently Adam Blackmore has mentioned that Claude Puel is on the verge of leaving the club and this has been followed by an article on line by Jeremy Wilson.
Wilson states that Puel remains likely to be sacked as Southampton manager but a definitive decision has not be made until the club have completed their search for a potential successor.
He goes on to say
"Supporters are also restless over the style of football, which resulted in only 41 league goals. Only Sunderland ended the season with fewer home goals."
"As revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, Puel’s future was already in serious doubt even at the start of May and Southampton were always planning to review his situation and see if they could make what they would regard as an improvement."
"Southampton considered the former Hull City manager Marco Silva but decided against pursuing him and are now working their way through alternatives."
"It has left Puel in limbo but, with the players on holiday, the club do not feel under any urgent pressure."
"Transfer decisions have been largely shaped by executive director Les Reed and recruitment chief Ross Wilson in recent years anyway, with the club’s manager essentially responsible for the preparation of the first-team."
"Puel has not at this stage been formally sacked and, while now highly unlikely to return, there remains a small chance that he might yet continue if other options fall through."
"The Frenchman signed a three-year contract last summer and, while entitled to compensation if he is sacked, has been of interest to St Etienne. Puel, though, is likely to wait to see how his precarious Southampton situation unravels before committing himself to another club."
"Claudio Ranieri was seriously considered in the summer that Southampton eventually hired Ronald Koeman and he ultimately then led Leicester City to the Premier League title."
"Manuel Pellegrini was considered but ultimately overlooked last summer and they will also be well aware of the availability of Thomas Tuchel following his sacking at Borussia Dortmund. "
If Wilson is correct it is hard to see how Puel can return to the club, who by the very fact that they have not come out and confirmed that he will be manager next season have shown they have little or no confidence in him going forward.
The reality of the situation is that Saints are playing for time, I am coming to the conclusion that the club and Puel already have an agreement in place and the Frenchman has already been informed that his services are no longer required, however it is in both parties interests to have an amicable parting of the ways and that will happen when Saints have lined up their replacement.
The problem with that is, the longer the situation goes on the more uptight the fans get, especially with the situation that developed this week in the media regarding Liverpool and Virgil Van Dijk, the club whilst not ready to sack Puel, know they have to be seen as doing something so appear to have briefed their trusted media contacts.
The message is that they are well aware of the situation, they are as normal taking their time to get the right man and are looking at all potential candidates, also pointing out with the players on holiday till the start of July, they do have a little bit of time.
This also illustrates why the multiple stories about Van Dijk on the verge of a move to Liverpool have little actual substance ( At present, although it is clear Liverpool will go to great lengths to try to get him) Saints will not sanction any transfers out till they have the new man in place and his thoughts on the squad.
Overall it looks like there could be movement in the situation very quickly, but it is not quite there yet.