Southampton facing tough search for Pochettino’s successor

Michael Laudrup – 9/2
Former Swansea manager Laudrup has reached an agreement with his old employers over his sacking in February, so may be ready to manage again. He is thus a free agent, has 20 months as a Premier League boss under his belt and picked up silverware during that time at the Liberty.

The fact that Danish legend Laudrup is a major footballing name, who could attract players, should not be lost on Southampton’s hierarchy. Continuity in approach from Pochettino would be assured, as he also sets teams out in that 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 tactically.

While that is all positive, there should be some reservations about Laudrup. He has seldom been an appointment for the long haul at previous clubs, and was removed from the Swans when the going got tough.

Laudrup has also shown he likes to spend, but the Saints may not be able to do that because of outstanding transfer fees and a training ground to pay for. There are certain facets about his approach, therefore, which may go against the grain at St Mary’s.

Steve McClaren – 7/1
Derby County and ex-England boss McClaren has placed faith in a young team at Pride Park, and is an experienced choice the Saints could turn to. He went abroad and sensibly adapted his style during time in Dutch and German football as a result after the Three Lions disaster.

A budget may be imposed on whoever takes on the St Mary’s vacancy because of their debts, and McClaren certainly worked well within one at Middlesbrough, winning the League Cup and reaching the UEFA Cup final.

He seems settled and committed at Derby, however, as it is a club he has played for and coached at before. There remain question marks over McClaren when he has big tasks to do; his England failure, Boro being battered by Sevilla in Europe and that agonising recent play-off final defeat, for example.

Neil Lennon – 10/1
Northern Irishman Lennon left Celtic seeking a challenge, and he would certainly have one on his hands at the Saints. There is no doubting he enjoyed a successful spell north of the border, and the fact he spent 15 years of his playing career in England only enhances his credentials.

Lennon is a protégé of Martin O’Neill, but was a big fish in a small pond at Celtic. Southampton’s owners should not be seduced by this, because he steered the Bhoys to two of this three Scottish Premiership titles without Old Firm rivals Rangers to press them, and failed to add either domestic cup to his trophy haul in 2013/14.

Other candidates
Eddie Howe and Oscar Garcia (both 12/1) only seem to be linked the Southampton vacancy because they managed other south coast clubs this season. Howe looks set to remain Bournemouth boss after a botched move north to Burnley, while Garcia quit Brighton as they bottled it in the Championship play-offs again.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet (7/1) also fits into this category because of his stint as Seagulls manager, but has started a rebuilding process at the Stadium of Light. Roberto Di Matteo (16/1) would be an interesting shout to end his exile from management at the Saints, as the former Chelsea midfielder and Italy international was born in Switzerland.