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3 potential managerial replacements for Koeman at Southampton

| 06.06.2016

Another club are on the verge of poaching Southampton’s manager. It’s a story we’ve all heard before.

When their players aren’t being plucked by other Premier League clubs, then the Saints’ dugout invariably comes under siege and with Ronald Koeman on the verge of becoming Everton’s new manager, that certainly looks the case this summer.

What we know for certain in these circumstances however, is that there is absolutely no reason to panic at St Mary’s.

The south coasters were able to improve performances in the face of a raft of player sales in the last two top-flight campaigns. They also hired Koeman, who has been a great success, having seen Mauricio Pochettino leave for Tottenham.

A well-documented scouting process of potential replacement bosses, as well as new players, means they are highly likely to get the right man should Koeman bolt for Goodison Park.

Here are three managers that could appear on the club’s radar in the event that a vacancy crops up:

Unai Emery

The Sevilla coach is certainly flavour of the month having guided Sevilla to a third successive Europa League title, but as that achievement suggests, he is more than a flash in the pan.

Everton were heavily linked with the Spaniard before striking the deal for Koeman. On the face of it though, Southampton appear a better fit for the 44-year-old.

Just like the Saints, Sevilla have continued to succeed despite selling their best players, while Emery is not afraid to call on youth players should they show promise.

Jorge Sampaoli

Sampaoli has been out of work since resigning from a hugely successful stint as Chile manager in January this year.

He followed up a run to the 2014 World Cup last 16 with victory in the Copa America a year later, beating Argentina 4-1 on penalties to secure that title.

For a brief time before Antonio Conte’s appointment, the Argentine was linked with Chelsea’s hotseat and, like Pochettino before him, would bring a high-pressing style to the Saints.

Manuel Pellegrini

Unlike the former two candidates, Pellegrini has a great deal of Premier League experience. Pep Guardiola’s appointment ended his Manchester City reign, having collected the 2013/14 title and two League Cups along the way.

His trust in youth players is an unknown having been given almost bottomless funds to buy who he likes at his previous two posts, but from a pedigree standpoint there will be few better options for Southampton to call on.

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

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Author

Matt Wiggins

No idyllic sound comes close to leather on willow for Matt, whose previous experience includes stints with Spin Magazine and Surrey County Cricket Club. It's not just cricket that interests him though, with football, golf, tennis and any American sport not played on ice all high on his list of favourites.