The list was down to three, but the next potential Saints manager is now between Frank De Boer and Claude Puel if you believe what you read or if you think the Daily Echo are in the know, or is it ?

The press are saying that Saints have ruled out Rudi Garcia for the job of replacing Ronald Koeman at St Mary's, the Daily Echo has stated that Saints due diligence is suggesting that he is not the right man.

They are also saying that Saints are looking for credentials that stretch beyond just one club, this would suggest that Frank De Boer would be out of the running, although he has played throughout Europe in a varied career, his managerial experience is only at Ajax.

So the Echo seem to be going big that Claude Puel is the man for Saints, although he lacks the title credentials that De Boer has, he has lead Lille, Lyon and Nice to finishes high in the League and qualifications for Europe, including the season just gone.

However the bookies still don't feel he is the man and they have a new favourite, Manuel Pellegrini is now installed as their man, his odds have tumbled in the last 12 hours and the best price you can get on him is 5/2.

Another name coming up on the rails is Vitor Pereira in 4th spot.

Garcia is still 2nd and Puel is 3rd favourite, if you are quick you can still get 4/1 on him.

Frank De Boer has dropped right down to 12/1 and if you think that Saints could really pull off a coup you can get Unai Emery at 25/1.

So although the Echo who are presumably close to the club mentioning Puel but not Pellegrini or Pereira, are they trying to throw readers of the scent and if so is this at the behest of the club who are trying to keep this all under wraps to stop it getting hijacked at the last moment.

The next couple of days could be interesting with the final interviews being conducted as we speak, at the moment it looks like Claude Puel's red & white army, but could there be another twist, this is Southampton Football Club, nothing is ever straightforward .

Photo: Action Images

wopper added 09:22 - Jun 18 Garcia was over qualified and not a yes man.
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Saintsfaninoz added 09:37 - Jun 18 I would love to see Emery here as I think his philosophy and coaching style would be the best match for the club, but that would now appear unlikely. I'm not sure about Pellegrini, he could be great, but also could be very bad. Both Puel and Pereira make sense, so I would not be surprised if one of them get the job. However, who predicted RK to take over from Pochettino?

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Santos added 09:58 - Jun 18 Pellegrini please "NO" !!! Sorry but nice guy but just need to get it out there that I think it would be a disaster. Garcia looked on paper a better fit shame if true he is not in the frame. still FDB for me out of those mentioned. Please board get it sorted and soon before any more players decide it's time for a change.
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pintsizedsaint added 10:06 - Jun 18 aren't the comments about Pelligrini similar to the comments people were making about Ranieri about this time last season?!
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corkcitysaint added 10:36 - Jun 18 I actually like Pelligrini maybe because I don't know the others very well but he's a nice guy. My only fear is that his transfer policy for Man city was poor. How many signings were actually his choice I don't know but for all the money spent on the squad, it wasn't value for money. For manager of Saints, I'm not sure. Would he bring the youth in the club through?

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WanderingSaint added 10:57 - Jun 18 Pellegrini, no thanks. Puel, no thanks. But…..we’ll have to trust the board as they seem to know what they’re doing. Whoever it is, let’s get them in asap so they can get on with it!
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SanMarco added 12:02 - Jun 18 So the final interviews are being conducted as we speak. Are they all sitting in a line outside Les' s office with their Powerpoint presentations in their sweaty hands? The betting tells us next to nothing - it is small money reacting to stories in the Echo, Telegraph etc. Pellegrini seems to be the default favourite for quiet moments. I thought we were told that the shortlist were all 'European'. My guess it will be someone who has not even been mentioned yet - but I haven't got a clue either!

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SaintPaulVW added 14:14 - Jun 18 Don't know why everyone always thinks Pellegrini is so nice and Koeman was so honourable, look at their playing careers.
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NewYorkSaint added 16:15 - Jun 18 Get Sammy Lee in!
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WanderingSaint added 17:25 - Jun 18 Guys, if this Pellegrini thing looks more likely, can we jam the SFC phone lines like when Joe Royle was suggested as a strong candidate? I fear our full transfer budget will be sent on Jesus Navas and an extra groundsman for the top right corner to repair all the scuffs and divets.
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SanMarco added 15:49 - Jun 19 Some people are spreading a rumour 'from France' that Garcia was offered it but said no.
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