Mark Hughes is somehow still clinging onto the Southampton job.
Yet another weekend dragged by without a win as Saints fell victim to a rejuvenated Fulham, led by their new boss Claudio Ranieri who had replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic during the international break.
Many expected a managerial change to also take place down on the south coast during the pause in Premier League action, but Hughes survived the fortnight, although Saturday’s sorry defeat to the previously rock-bottom Cottagers means a sacking is surely imminent.
Hughes has won only three of his 21 Premier league matches since replacing Mauricio Pellegrino back in March - meaning he has the worst win rate of any Saints manager to take charge of 20+ Premier League games. Furthermore, Saints are yet to win on home soil this season, and are the only club yet to win multiple top-flight matches.
So, who is in the running for the job should Southampton wield the axe upon Hughes?
The updated next Southampton manager market shows a surprise new name at the top of the market in Garry Monk who can be backed at 15/8 to jump up a division.
Monk has a link to the Saints, having spent eight years on the club’s books during his playing days, although it’s worth noting that he only played 13 matches for the Hampshire outfit, and was shipped out on loan a whopping five times.
Saints supporters are unlikely to be too inspired by Monk’s appearance in the betting, especially considering that the 39-year-old has not been seen in the Premier League dugout since 2015, and is currently in his third consecutive spell at a Championship club.
After losing his job at Swansea the Englishman spent a single season at Leeds, then lasted 26 games at Middlesbrough, whereas his record at Birmingham stands at 10 wins, 10 draws, and 10 defeats, with the Blues currently 12th in the table, 10 points adrift of the summit.
Former Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim would undoubtedly be a more popular pick, but while it’s difficult to envision the Saints being able to lure him over to the relegation-threatened club, the Portuguese coach may see it as an ideal opportunity to make a name for himself in English football, Mauricio Pochettino being a telling example.
The veteran unemployed trio of David Moyes, Sam Allardyce, and Steve Bruce also feature, as does Louis van Gaal who is a 16/1 shot to make a shock return to these shores.
ODDS --->
