If reports, and the betting, are to be believed then it’s a two-horse race to replace Mauricio Pellegrino at Southampton manager.
The Saints are sinking faster than a stool pigeon in a concrete overcoat having won just one of their last 17 matches in the Premier League. Saturday’s comprehensive defeat at relegation rivals Newcastle United was the final straw for Southampton’s owners, who are looking at a major loss of revenue if the south coast club slip back into the Championship.
But some are questioning whether it was the right time to sack their Argentinian coach. There is no opportunity for any new manager to refresh the squad and the ‘go-to’ manager when Premier League teams are in trouble – Sam Allardyce – already has a job. Of course, it’s not too late to stop the rot but other sides near the bottom are grinding out results and, if there isn’t immediate improvement, the fat lady will soon be exercising her vocal chords.
Mark Hughes is the man most Saints’ fans seem to want to arrest their slide. The former Stoke and Manchester City played more than 50 games for Southampton in a two-year spell at the club at the end of his playing career. He’s also managed Blackburn, Fulham and QPR and is available – you don’t want to have to pay another club compensation if you’re about to lose a big chunk of cash.
The Welshman is only a best 1/5 with BetVictor to be the Next Southampton Manager and the same firm are best odds on the only other man at single figure odds – Marco Silva.
Sacked by Watford when he was linked with the Everton job earlier this season, the Portuguese coach has experience of a Premier League battle having almost managed to save Hull City last season. He’s been linked with Southampton since their poor run began but has now been usurped in the betting by Hughes.
Slaven Bilic, sacked by West Ham in November, and another former Saints favourite, Gordon Strachan, have also been introduced into the betting by BetVictor while Graham Potter, who masterminded a Europa League second-leg victory over Arsenal with Swedish minnows Ostersunds, is 16/1.
Next Southampton Manager BetVictor Odds
Mark Hughes 1/5, Marco Silva 4/1, Eddie Howe and Gordon Strachan 10/1, Thomas Tuchel 14/1, Slaven Bilic and Graham Potter 16/1, Kelvin Davis 20/1
