Despite picking up their first Premier League point of the season at the fifth time of asking, Russell Martin still has a lot to prove as a top flight manager, so it is only natural that Saints should be looking at a list of successors to his job, should the time come.

The saddest thing of our successful promotion campaign last season was that Russell Martin still has his critics, when Nigel Adkins won promotion to the Premier League for the club back in 2012, he was elevated to God like status and remains a popular figure with Southampton supporters.

But Russell Martin still divides opinion, this is due to his insistence in play in the possession football game in all situations, even those who think that he is the man for the job, in the main think that he needs to temper a stubborn streak to play this game to the full extent, whilst his critics think that he has to go now and a man who can get the best out of the squad should be appointed forthwith.

Four straight defeats led to rumours surfacing last week that the board were not happy with his tactics, in fairness it seems that they are still a way off sacking him, but it would be natural, not to mention good footballing governance that they are looking at potential candidates.

Last week it was revealed that John Eustace of Blackburn Rovers was high on their list and now footballleagueworld have revealed that another Championship manager is on the radar.

That man is Carlos Corberan of West Bromwich Albion and he will perhaps raise a little more excitement in the St Mary's faithful than Eustace, in that he has more experience, especially in the Premier League, were although he hasn't managed yet, he was assistant to Marcelo Bielsa for two years before taking the job at Huddersfield Town, he would spend two seasons there, taking them to the play off finals where they lost to Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

A short spell at Olympiacos in Greece followed before he was appointed West Brom boss in October 2022, he took them to the brink of the play offs that season, only losing out on the final day and last season as we know he went a step better, but lost to us in the semi's.

He is well respected and was a candidate to replace, Jesse Marsch when he was sacked as Leeds boss in February 2023.

Of course this is always just speculation and only the Southampton board know how close to truth these rumours are, but they are just that, rumours ! so no need for anyone to get carried away just yet.

Photo: Action Images

highfield49 added 12:31 - Sep 23 That bloke Mousinho could be looking for a job sooner than later. Low wages and easy travel down the M27.
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mascott514 added 08:25 - Sep 27 RM has earned the right to a good go at the PL.And I am seeing improvements and a more pragmatic approach.Expectation will always outstrip reality-but he's a good manager and he has turned round a mess that he took over.I hope others will back him-seems that way on the stands.
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