Our regular columnist Dan takes a look at what he hopes will be the final pair in the list of candidates with a decision imminent.
After Ronald Koeman’s disappointing departure, the final days of Southampton’s search for the manager that will start the season with friendlies in Holland and at home to Athletic Bilbao before the 2016/17 Premier League campaign begins are upon us and a new manager is thought to be appointed in the next few days.
Unless you’re a Saints fan who lives under a rock, you’ll be aware of most of the candidates floating around the papers recently but now that the search is coming to an end it seems like there could be only two candidates left. It may have been just one this morning but now there’s a new name lurking around.
Manuel Pellegrini:
My personal favourite is a very experienced manager having managed in both his native South America (Chile to be exact) and Europe. He’s also the guy who brought Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid! The 62- year old concluded a three-year spell at Man City last season where he won a Premier League title and two League Cups over that period.
Furthermore, his age would hopefully give Saints fans some confidence in him staying as Southampton could potentially be his final job before retirement. We know he’s had the interview and apparently has been offered a three-year contract but this seems to be a very attractive job to managers, especially those who are looking for jobs in England. I hope he comes in and can provide Saints with a season to remember.
Jurgen Klinsmann:
Only in the last hours has this man appeared, as favourite! The German USA National Team manager lost 4-0 this morning to Argentina in the Copa America Semi-Final, a competition where they were hosts. Klinsmann has little club experience with a season at Bayern Munich but was sacked just before the end of that season.
Klinsmann also got Germany to the World Cup Semi-Final in 2006. He has just finished his season and wouldn’t get a decent period of holiday after his team’s impressive Copa America display. This guy would satisfy me if appointed, not excite me like Pellegrini would.
Just to conclude, I hope Les Reed and the men behind the scenes appoint Manuel Pellegrini and do whatever is possible to bring him in. I have no doubt that Pellegrini will be tempted by this job as England is where he wishes to remain. But I also hope the next manager is found in the next few days because then it will probably feel like a weight off Saints’ shoulders and we can fully focus on the season ahead.