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.

Photo: Action Images

BUCK added 09:30 - Jun 6 Any of the top 3 would be showing ambitionl eddie how is nowhere near enough experienced to be saints manager
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SaintNick added 09:43 - Jun 6 I would agree about Howe, he needs a little more top flight experience to be coming in at a difficult time such as this, we need a top notch appointment to placate the players and fans
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SanMarco added 09:50 - Jun 6 Yes any of the top three, sadly Howe will be seen as too 'small' an appointment by fans and more importantly players. I do hope we don't appoint one of the 'jokes' - Moyes, Martinez, McLaren etc. "Player exodus", "melt-down", "crisis-club" are the headlines round the corner if we don't appoint the right man quickly.
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welhamdowed added 10:53 - Jun 6 IMO Emery would be a great signing for us. I would quickly get over the disappointment if we landed him.
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undertoomers added 11:16 - Jun 6 We've certainly come a long way since the day's when we appointed Ian Branfoot as our new saviour!. Which mercenary to choose next time ?. I'd prefer Eddie Howe, though I don't think he'd come. Ironically stating loyalty to his current club. Saints unlike the so called bigger clubs dont pander to their support base & throw as much money as it takes to get their man. Not experienced ?, he has enough. Look howe much he has achieved in his career so far. He is a manager on the up, let's grab him before someone else does. Potofteano - 18 months Premiership experiecne, that didn't put THFC pinching him & Koeman has had 2 seasons before he was poached (if it goes through) by EFC. Howe much Premier League experience did either have before they came to Saints ?. I Can see Eddie staying here longer than the other three options given. I'd say think big (think big club) & break the bank to get our man. I'd be happy to do my bit. I've said for a long time now that if our season tickets were to go up to £1000.00 each (instead of the current £737.00) that I'd pay it.

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simmo400 added 12:02 - Jun 6 AVB would be an ideal choice. Get him in fast.
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Bettwsresident added 12:06 - Jun 6 RoKo hasn't gone yet and as of yet the whole story is based on a couple of tweets from his agent that have subsequently been retracted. I may be a ludicrous optimist, but with 4 straight wins to finish the season, the second highest number of points in 2016 (only beaten by Leicester who in all probability will finish mid table next year), and a stabalising squad, if RoKo's aim is Barcelona, he has a better chance securing it with another great season with the Saints than with 7th with the Toffees (which would be a good season for them). It's usually the case that a team that finishes well, starts well and if he can keep the core of the squad and strengthen the defense his stock could be very high by the end of the year. If he does go then, whilst I will be £30 poorer, I am liking the sound of the options. #wemarchon

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bstokesaint added 12:18 - Jun 6 Any of the top 3 would be great appointments and I think most Saints' fans would be just excited about next season if we could land a European manager with a proven track record. Anything less, i.e. Howe and we'd be in danger of losing top players and would struggle to replace them with new ones. Last time this happened with Poch, the board said they would take their time and find a decent replacement. They did just that and this time we know that there is compensation we could use of around £5m so that should make a big name more feasible.

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SanMarco added 13:03 - Jun 6 Bettwsresident - I think you are a "ludicrous optimist" if you think RK is staying (can't see many of us wanting him to stay after the last three days) but you are not 'ludicrous' over looking forward to a bright post-RK future!
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