Our columnist Arron takes a look at the latest news which is indicating that Mauricio Pellegrino is close to being named Saints Boss.

Mauricio Pellegrino,is the clubs top target to replace Claude Puel as Southampton manager according to reports both in England and Pellegrino's native Argentina following the Frenchman’s sacking last week.

Les Reed, who is leading the hunt for Puel’s successor at St Mary's, wants guarantees the Argentine is committed to a long-term project on the south coast.

Saints have had their fingers burnt in the past with Pellegrino’s fellow countryman Mauricio Pochettino deserting them for Tottenham not to mention Dutchman Ronald Koeman also jumping ship to Everton Last summer.

Pellegrino is also a target for Crystal Palace to take over from Sam Allardyce, but is now thought to favour a move to St Mary’s.

If this move falls through, Frank De Boer is reportedly Pellegrino’s closest rival for the Saints hot-seat.

Southampton could confirm the 45 year old Argentine as early as this week and want any new manager in place before players return for pre-season training on June 29. Player recruitment has been put on hold until the vacancy is filled.

What do you make of the potential appointment of Pellegrino? are you in favour or disappointed with as the next manager?

Photo: Action Images

montecristo added 09:07 - Jun 21 if reports ive seen are correct im really disappointed, certaily Alaves were obsessed with defence and their games were a crashing bore .We dont need more of those tactics at Saints,and the fans wont like it either.Could be trouble.
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JordSFC93 added 09:37 - Jun 21 I think Pellegrino's used defensive tatics with Alaves because his main goal was to keep them up so they went into every game trying to at least get a point I think if he does come to us he might have more of attacking approach.
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highfield49 added 09:41 - Jun 21 I can't claim to know very much about Pellegrino but a bit of research indicates that his preferred playing style and points gained are pretty similar to Poch. On the basis that Saints will have researched his credentials a bit more thoroughly than a Google check he could be just the man we need. If he's appointed I just hope that the louder empty barrels who claim to be supporters give him a chance before slagging him off.

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Aston_Martin added 10:02 - Jun 21 I was arriving at Heathrow Terminal 5 yesterday pm, coming out of Arrivals I saw a Limo driver holding a nameplate for a MR Pellegrino, could it be the one and the same arriving to finalise the deal.
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sidsaint added 10:24 - Jun 21 I know very little about him,Is he going to improve on last seasons league and cup performance? Aston_Martin , maybe he was off to South London.
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TimSaint added 11:12 - Jun 21 I have a strange feeling that we may still get Tuchel - don't know why, but perhaps it is because he distanced himself from Saints, much in the same way that Koeman did before he joined us. We should pay the going rate for him and get him on a 4 or 5 year deal. Here's hoping anyway !!
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Keesie66 added 11:39 - Jun 21 Pellegrino was with each of his previous sides less than 1 year, he has a defensive approach i.e. don't concede then we can not loose and has ambitions for bigger clubs...... really..... and what is a long term commitment in football anyway there is no such thing......
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Keesie66 added 11:44 - Jun 21 BTW he even left his last club himself, at least Puel didnt quit lol....... to be continued......
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SaintBrock added 12:45 - Jun 21 Bit desperate to sign an unknown in the pious hope that moving here will transform him into a god.
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legod7 added 13:12 - Jun 21 Aston, probably the Palace limo driver. lol
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WanderingSaint added 13:18 - Jun 21 I really don't get it. Why all the excitement? This is a guy who was sacked from every managerial role he's had, save Alaves. He has just taken that team to 9th and a cup final, playing boring defensive football. And you guys are all excited that we want him to replaced a highly respected coach throughout Europe, who took us to 8th and a cup final, playing boring defensive football. I'm bewildered.

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WanderingSaint added 13:20 - Jun 21 And as at 21/06 13:20 Wikipedia age already has "Southampton 2017 - " listed in his managerial roles. Not sure if that means anything.....
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Keesie66 added 13:30 - Jun 21 Makes you wonder why his appointment took so long, he was a free agent, no commitments,so....??? My guess he wasn't our first,second choice but they've obviously rejected the Saints job so now we will sign up this boy, thats us sorted for another season, till next year June18 we speak again...
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oldman65 added 13:30 - Jun 21 I just want the a new manager sorted out soon .As for Pellegrnio don't know too much about him but what I read about him he seems O.k
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BaselSaint added 13:54 - Jun 21 Last season Pellegrino`s newly promoted Alaves lost 0-1 at home to La Coruna who had a rotten season so they must have been awful that day but then he got them to the Copa del Rey final. I see also that Pellegrino was Rafa Benitez`s right hand man both at Liverpool at Inter. Really I dont know what to think...scary times.
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Keesie66 added 14:54 - Jun 21 Suppose the real question is "what does this guy bring to the table that Puel did not?" Hard to see a difference although looking at Puels record he was a lot more successful worrying times indeed....
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Keesie66 added 14:57 - Jun 21 According to Wikipedia Pellegrino has now signed for Kilmarnock!!!!!!!
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Keesie66 added 14:59 - Jun 21 I still think Les has confused Pellegrino with Pellegrini ....... someone tell him!!!!!!
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kenis added 17:50 - Jun 21 Looking past the headline defensive tactics and the league position there appears to be more to Pellegrino than just another version of Puel, with reports saying he showed tactical flexibility and had a well drilled and coached team he looked to get the absolute best from whilst having a good relationship with players. Now I've got that from some articles back in April / may before he was linked with saints and off the back of what has to be classed as a successful season with Alves who outperformed vs expectations based on their budget/squad. I hope he's another version of Pochettino with a dash of the tactical flexibility of Koemam, who despite how they left did well for us. I don't mind if he moves on in three years to a big CL club because that will mean we've had three years of success, it's the way of things, we just shouldn't lose anyone else (player or manager) to another "chasing pack" team.

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