Next Southampton Manager Odds: Ruben Selles Favourite To Take Charge
Southampton are still on the lookout for a new manager, and betting sites have altered their odds significantly since Nathan Jones was sacked on Sunday.
Jesse Marsch became the odds-on favourite earlier this week. It was reported that the Saints had been admirers of the American for some time, and they were hoping to officially install him in the run-up to Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
However, talks between Marsch and Southampton have broken down, leaving Saints without a permanent head coach as they continue their fight against relegation to the Championship.
They will hope to get a new man through the door as quickly as possible, with Ruben Selles set to remain in caretaker charge until then.
Here are the latest odds, followed by our analysis of some of the leading contenders for the Southampton job.
Selles New Favourite As Saints Consider In-House Appointment
Selles has shot to top of the list of candidates to replace Jones, who was deposed after overseeing seven defeats in his eight Premier League games at the helm.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Southampton board is considering handing Selles the reins until the end of the season and appointing an experienced coach to work alongside him.
Needless to say, this would be a gamble. Selles may well be a talented coach, but Southampton are bottom of the Premier League and four points adrift of safety.
The Spaniard has no senior managerial experience and appointing him as Jones’ successor was clearly not Southampton’s initial preference.
Right now though, he is the odds-on favourite to take charge at 4/5 with football betting sites.
Marsch Talks Could Yet Be Revived If Southampton Get Desperate
The key sticking point in Southampton’s talks with Marsch was the proposed length of the former Leeds United manager’s contract.
The club offered a short-term deal until the end of the season, whereas Marsch wanted more security.
The former RB Leipzig head coach has now drifted to 8/1 with William Hill, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Southampton revive talks with Marsch.
Just as a surprise victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday would boost Selles’ chances of landing the job, a heavy defeat would perhaps be enough for Southampton to give in to Marsch’s demands.
The fact that initial conversations between the two parties were positive means this one might not be over yet.
Gerrard Waiting For Opportunity To Get Back Into Management
Like Marsch, Steven Gerrard was in charge of a Premier League club earlier in the campaign.
But after failing to make progress with Aston Villa, the former Liverpool captain was dismissed in October and replaced by Unai Emery.
Gerrard is now waiting for the right opportunity to get back into management, but he may not want to go to one of the club near the top of the Premier League relegation odds.
After his fine work at Rangers, he was a man in demand. But given how things ended at Villa Park, Gerrard might have to be less picky about his next opportunity.
Despite their missteps of late, Southampton are a club with potential. They have a young side that will get better with experience.
But Gerrard, priced at 10/1, would first need to decide if he is ready for a relegation battle.
Gallardo And Bielsa Unlikely To Take Charge At St Mary’s
Marcelo Gallardo is exactly the type of manager Southampton use to appoint. Formerly the Premier League’s model club, the side from the south coast have lost their way in recent years.
As things stand, Gallardo does not appear to be on their radar, as his 20/1 price with BetVictor shows.
There is no doubting the Argentine’s aptitude. He led River Plate to two Copas Libertadores and is now keen to test himself in Europe. But this would be a risky appointment given Southampton’s predicament.
Meanwhile Marcelo Bielsa, also available at 20/1, is not the type of manager with whom an agreement can be struck quickly.
Time is of the essence for Southampton, so this one is highly unlikely too.
Could Situation Force Southampton To Consider Pragmatist Nuno?
Nuno Espirito Santo is in employment with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad, but he would no doubt jump at the chance to return to the Premier League and is currently one of the favourites to be the next Leeds United manager.
The Portuguese’s reputation has been tarnished somewhat by his disappointing stint at Tottenham Hotspur, but he previously did a fantastic job at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His style of play is not to everyone’s liking, but he would at least get Southampton organised and make them much tougher to play against.
However, the fact he is also being priced at 20/1 with betting apps shows that it would take a dramatic turn of events for Nuno to be the next man through the door at St Mary’s.
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