Our regular columnist Dan gives his opinion on who could be replacing Ronald Koeman at St Mary's in the coming weeks.
We’re all now aware that the likeliness of Ronald Koeman leaving the Southampton dugout for a for a dugout with a much bigger salary at Everton is now very high. I’m not going to dwell on the fact that this move feels like a big shock, at least to me it does, but there definitely is a big chance of a silver lining to this frustrating situation. The managers supposedly shortlisted for the job across multiple media sources could do a great job at Southampton.
Manuel Pellegrini:
The 62 years old Chilean has reached the end of a three-year term at Manchester City and in that time he won a Premier League Title, two League Cups and also got City to the semi-final of the Champions League. Yes, Saints would be quite a bit of a down-grade from the Blues but it is reported that he is keen to land another appointment with an English club. Pellegrini was linked with the vacant Everton job but now Koeman is the big favourite he has been reported as a shock contender for Koeman’s replacement.
Unai Emery:
The 44 years old Spaniard is the favourite for the job in the last 48 hours and he would definitely be a great appointment for Saints. He was another manager linked with the Everton job and is known to be keen on a move to the Premier League. Out of all the Premier League Clubs, Saints were the highest finishing club last year that has a managerial post likely to be open so Emery coming to Southampton would arguably be the best move for him. As Saints fans seek a day out to Wembley and the club look for a trophy, Emery is definitely a man who could bring that day to Saints. The Sevilla manager is a record-breaker for winning three Europa League titles in a row with the club who finished 7th in La Liga last season. He also got the club to the final of the Spanish Copa del Ray, losing to Barcelona. Emery knows all about the "2nd tier of European Football” and could give Saints a time to remember in their first year playing in the group stage of the competition.
Frank de Boer:
Another managerial target for Everton that could be stolen by the Saints. De Boer has good experience in European and other Cup competitions with Ajax who he managed for six years before his resignation this season. It would be a nice form of revenge for Southampton towards Koeman for him to be replaced by another Dutch-Man. The Premier League would be a good challenge for him after spending all of his managerial career with Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie
winning four league titles and would be a good test after spending so long managing in a league that isn’t as tough as the Premier League. I would be happy with his appointment and I think he could bring a lot of positives to St.Mary’s after a Summer that could be disappointing with more departures than expected.
Eddie Howe:
Howe is arguably the underdog in this shortlist of managers but has the potential of being a great appointment. I would feel bad if we stole him from Bournemouth just after our manager had been stolen but the 38 year old may want a new challenge. It would be a risk for Southampton appointing someone like Howe, a manager with not too much experience "in the ring” but has potential to become a fantastic manger. Howe brought his current club, Bournemouth from League 1 to the Premier League and brought Bournemouth to a 16th place finish in his debut season in the Premier League despite being firm favourites to be relegated last August. Managing a club who expects to finish in the top 10 of the Premier League and competing in Europe next season may be a big step for the young manager but I would be happy to have him, but would prefer Emery.