Saints are believed to have opened contract negotiations with Ronald Koeman with an appointment believed to be imminent after the weekend.

According to media reports including The Daily Echo, Saints have opened contract negotiations with Ronald Koeman, suggesting that his appointment as Saints manager could be happening very soon.

Reports suggest that Saints have mad a firm offer to Koeman who is mulling over the fine print whilst on holiday and will consider it in more detail when he returns from his vacation tomorrow.

It is believed that although a deal has not yet been agreed in principal both parties are not far apart and their is a willingness on both sides to iron out any issues and finalise the contract.

Koeman would appear to tick all the boxes for Saints, he is a man with a reputation across Europe as both a player and a manager, he is also entrenched in the Saints way of dooing things coming from Holland where to development of young talent is seen as crucial.

Coming after the departures of the past five months or so at St Mary's it was essential that Saints not ony appointed a manager with the right ethics but one that has a reputation and Koeman would appear to be that man.

Both parties will be keen to seal the deal quickly with Koeman's first task to b to rebuild the coaching staff who were brought i en masse by Pochettino and left with him.

It would appear that Koeman would have to start from scratch with hsi two assistants at Feyenoord set to stay in Holland, however his physical coach Jan Kluitenberg left the club along with Koeman and could join him at St Mary's

Personally Im excited about this appoinntment, it shows intent from Katharina Liebherr and her board to keep the club moving forward, in Koeman they have a manager who in most respects is superior to the man he replaced, Spurs supporters I have spoken to all sem to think they would have preferred Koeman as the manager of Spurs than Pochettino.

Photo: Action Images

abingdonsaint added 15:10 - Jun 14 If it is Koeman, which is now looking likely, I would be very happy with that choice. However, I think you seriously underestimate Pochettino. I suspect he will do very well at Spurs next season (unfortunately!)
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ThereIn76 added 15:40 - Jun 14 It's been an open secret for some time so I look forward to the announcement and to him getting stuck into the job. The trouble is that if he does well, whichever of the "big" clubs has a disappointing season and ditches its manager will come straight after him and next summer we'll be in exactly the same situation as now. When a provincial club punches above its weight, this is what happens. Personally I'll take the risk of another season of over-achievement and enjoy the ride in the meantime (hopefully).

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thegeneral added 16:19 - Jun 14 Koeman is a manger i think we can get behind and try and forget an abysmal early summer for the club, i hope he's a big enough name to persuade players that want away to give us at least one more season. I also hope we spend wisely. As for MP he's a good coach but a poor manager.
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IanRC added 17:26 - Jun 14 Think MoPo will fail abysmally at Spurs probably partly due to the Chairman's and fans impatience. This would seem to be an excellent appointment for us if it happens. Hope he can talk one or two who are allegedly thinking of leaving us around if there is any truth in the rumours. I think we will do well next season. COYS
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SanMarco added 20:59 - Jun 14 Koeman has just been installed as 5/4 favourite to be the next Spurs manager...
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geecee added 21:12 - Jun 14 A good appointment, if confirmed. I will love it if Saints can do the double over Spurs next season.
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Zambucco added 09:54 - Jun 15 "you signed Pocchetin, we signed Ronald Koeman Ronald Koeman Ronald Koeman" This is what it's like to be Tottenham, This is what it's like to be crap" Makes you wonder who has got the better deal. The unknown, Poccetino came in and inherited a very good squad, with a megolomaniac chairman. Did well and so he should have done! Koeman will come in with a sound board, still with a dream of Europe. A brilliant squad. Possibly lose a couple of wantaways, but what a mighty kitty he will have. Plus his contact list will be far superior to MP, and his reputation is huge, I shudder to think of the talent he could bring Every manger change we've had lately we've moved on to become bigger and stronger. This could be one of our best signings ever. I hope I'm correct

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DutchSaint added 10:26 - Jun 15 Also Ronald Koeman's brother Erwin will come to Southampton as an assistent manager. And Graciano Pelle as replacement for SRL. I think its a very good choice. And now hope we can keep our players and wont sell Lallana, Lovren and Rodrigues
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schatfield added 18:33 - Jun 15 lets hope we dont do what west brom just did and have everyone convinced were signing a high named manager only to get a complete unknown......dont think their fans are too happy!
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no7saint added 20:36 - Jun 15 Koeman's win ratio at previous clubs is really good so hopefully this will happen. Importantly it will demonstrate that our board are still ambitious as someone of his calibre wouldn't be talking to us otherwise, the rumours of Mancini also linked with the job are encouraging (if true! )
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