Southampton Who Is In The Frame?

Strong rumours all day have been bouncing around the net saying that we were going for Paul Hart. It was even mentioned on Sky for a while as the story gained strength.

I find that particular thought too ridiculous to countenance. Ex Pompey manager and a very poor CV do not add up to someone capable of doing the job required at St Mary's.

Martin O'Neill has been mentioned as a possibility. There is no way that I can see Martin coming to a club where the Chairman dictates the do's and donts.

Alan Shearer hasn't the experience to have much hope of getting the nod. Plus he is also a strong man who will want to do his own thing in his own way.

Alan Curbishley has been mentioned but I don't see him being told how to operate and the same can be said for a good few possible applicants.

Phill Brown has done a good job at Hull but who can forget his mental abheration in the centre circle when he forced his team to stay on the pitch at hlf-time.

Kevin Pearson would get a good few votes from Saints fans but he is not a yes man and again would want to do it his own way.

Eddie Howe of Bournemouth has been mentioned as well and has done well for the Cherries. He is inexperienced and it may be too early for him.

Paul Tisdale has done similar fine work with Exeter but has he the strength to come to us and get us up to the top? I don't think so.

Emile Zola is another name going the rounds but he has not done enough to show me that he can do the job for us.

Gus Poyet of Brighton has been spoken of as a manager of the future but the future is not now. Could we lure him away?

Paul Jewel is a name that I find interesting. He did well for Wigan and twice got them up to the Premiership. This after getting Bradford City up there as well. Ticks the boxes.

Sean O'Driscoll did well at Bournemouth and has kept Doncaster in the CCC with limited funds. Would he be able to spend our money wisely?

Paul Ince Dennis Wise and others have been spoken of as possibles but I certainly don't rate them at all very highly.

Another rumour going the rounds is that the club has had a large number of applications or queries already. Alan has just gone but the club has to live on.

So who do we think could get the job. Or more pertinently do we want to see get the job? Are we looking at a foreigner to take over? Has the new man already been told that the job is his before Alan got the shove?

We may not have long to wait before the answer becomes clear. Let us hope that who ever turns up as the new boss is ready to rumble.

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