A “magnificent” manager is now on the “final shortlist” to replace Ivan Juric at Southampton this summer, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
Saints pursuing new manager after Juric sacking
In truth, the writing was on the wall for Juric for quite some time, given that he failed to make any improvements to the Saints’ Premier League position after replacing Russell Martin, and the Croatian was dismissed after relegation to the Championship was confirmed.
After parting ways with Juric earlier this month, the board have now started to identify potential replacements for the summer, and chief among them could be Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, who has been named as the top target.
Sporting director Johannes Spors is a big fan of Rohl, but the Wednesday manager is not the only option being considered, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior also of interest, given the fantastic job the Englishman has done in Ligue 1 this season.
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In an interview with EFL Analysis, Bailey has now revealed Southampton have started to trim down their list of manager targets, and former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has made the cut.
Bailey said: “Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are both on Southampton’s final shortlist to be their new manager. The two England legends have been on Southampton’s radar for the last few weeks and both are in their sights.”
“Gerrard, who is on Rangers’ list to return to Ibrox, is out of work following his stint in Saudi Arabia and is ready to return to the UK – we understand.”
Former Norwich City boss David Wagner is also named as a potential target for the Saints, who are certainly not short on options to replace Juric this summer.
Southampton move could suit “magnificent” Gerrard
Gerrard’s last stint in England didn’t exactly go to plan, being sacked by Aston Villa with the club just outside the relegation zone, but there are signs the Liverpool legend could be a success at St. Mary’s.
Southampton are expected to be one of the dominant forces in the Championship next season, and the 44-year-old has previously proven he has what it takes to win league titles as a manager, securing the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership title with Rangers.
Not only did the Englishman win the title, but he did so in emphatic fashion, with the Gers amassing a colossal 102 points and remaining undefeated across the entire league campaign.
Former adversary Sir Alex Ferguson even lauded Gerrard for his “magnificent” achievement, which indicates he still could have a lot left to give as a manager, despite questionable spells with Villa and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
