Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe favourite to replace Koeman at Southampton

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is the frontrunner to replace Southampton boss Ronald Koeman, according to Ladbrokes.

Koeman has one year remaining on his St Mary’s contract and with the Saints board uncertain about his plans for the future the search for a replacement is underway, with Howe at the top of the list.

Bournemouth and Southampton may be south coast rivals but Howe is an ambitious young manager and our traders believe the 38-year-old would put sentimentality to one side, making the Cherries boss the 7/2 favourite.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: “Eddie Howe has done a fantastic job in keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League so it stands to reason he’s a wanted man.

“Bournemouth fans may never forgive him a trip up the M27 but Howe is clearly ambitious and we reckon he won’t let that stand in his way.”

Should Howe decide to continue his work at Dean Court then former Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager David Moyes is next in the running at 8/1, while Ajax boss Frank de Boer can be backed at 10/1 to follow Koeman’s path from Holland to the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers (10/1) and Nigel Pearson (12/1) are also said to be in with a shout but a return for Harry Redknapp, who took Saints down in 2005, has effectively been ruled out at 33/1.

Southampton are next in action away to Tottenham and go into the White Hart Lane clash as 13/5 underdogs, while Spurs can be backed at 10/11 to claim all three points and the draw priced up at 13/5.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.