Southampton are targeting a Premier League legend for their now vacant managerial position following their relegation from the top flight.
The Saints are facing life in the Championship once more after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur sealed their relegation to the English second tier. It comes after a dismal season which has seen them record 25 losses in 31 games.
Following confirmation of their drop to the second division, the side announced this morning that manager Ivan Juric has left the club. Given his experience with a top European club such as Roma, it is no surprise to learn that Juric would not be leading the side in the Championship next season.
Having drawn up a shortlist of managerial targets, the side has placed Premier League legend Frank Lampard as one of their targets for the position at St. Mary’s. Lampard is not the only name linked with the job, as Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl and former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior are also on the list.
Southampton Eyeing Championship managers
With the news of Juric’s departure, the club have reportedly placed Frank Lampard and Danny Rohl on their list of targets. Both managers have been impressive in the second tier this season, with Rohl leading his Sheffield Wednesday side to 13th in the table following a shaky first season in the Championship, where he took over midway through the season.
After guiding the Owls to safety in the second tier, progress has been made, leading them towards the top half of the table. If Rohl could continue to make that progress, he could be the man to take the club towards the Premier League one day, meaning losing the German would be a blow for Owls fans.
Liam Rosenior has also been impressive in France with Strasbourg, leading the side towards a potential Champions League spot next season. A move for the Englishman could be hopeful with the prospect of European football at his current club, leaving him an unlikely appointment.
Could Southampton appoint Frank Lampard?
The concern lies in Lampard’s current situation at Coventry City, where he has taken them into the playoff spots. After taking over from Mark Robins, the side was threatened with relegation as opposed to looking at promotion. Following the impressive work Lampard has done at the Sky Blues, Southampton have taken note, but according to Alex Crook, the former midfielder is focused on their playoff push in the Championship.
Lampard has a wealth of experience as a manager already, but if he were to miss out on promotion with Coventry after achieving a playoff spot, it would be reminiscent of his failure to achieve the same goal at Derby County in his first managerial role. On top of that concern comes his poor record in spells in the Premier League with Everton and Chelsea.
If he is to leave the Sky Blues, it would likely be at the end of the season, and if they miss out on promotion. Given the Saints are already relegated, they are likely in no rush to appoint anyone soon. However, if they are eager to bring someone in sooner, a manager like Rohl could be persuaded to leave sooner, considering there is little left to achieve in Wednesday’s season, leaving the Owls with a void to fill in order to kick on.