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Southampton were relegated to the Championship in record time, and now all eyes are on who they appoint to lead a promotion charge back to the Premier League.
Southampton are on the lookout for a new manager to replace Ivan Juric after he was dismissed by the club following their 3-1 defeat against Tottenham.
In preparation for a return to the Championship, Sport Republic must make the right appointment as they aim to challenge for promotion.
Southampton have been linked with Will Still ahead of the summer while Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl was also on the Saints’ radar.
Still and Rohl are two names that would excite a downbeat fanbase, although there is one controversial figure who is now in surprise contention to land the role.
- READ MORE: The three goalkeepers Southampton should eye to replace Aaron Ramsdale amid Man United links
Southampton fans fear the worst as Steven Gerrard links emerge
On Wednesday, EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that Steven Gerrard is in contention for the Southampton job while Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has also made their ‘final shortlist’.
While Lampard is doing a fine job at Coventry, who are fighting for the playoffs, links to Gerrard have caused anger among the fanbase, and rightly so.
The Liverpool legend has endured a tough time in management so far, recently facing the axe after 18 months at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and not covering himself in glory during spells at Aston Villa and Rangers.
Although he was world-class as a footballer, much like Wayne Rooney, Gerrard has yet to reach similar levels in management and fans have now responded angrily to this update via X.
“Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard – is this a joke? Definitely heading down the leagues with either of these two appointments. They were talented players but haven’t shown much/any success in management,” one fan posted, predicting a second relegation would be on the cards.
“Absolutely no to both Gerrard and Lampard,” another replied while someone else wrote: “I know we’re desperate but surely not desperate enough for Gerrard, or is he that cheap for SR to be interested.”
“If we get Gerrard there’s no way I’d buy a season ticket,” a fifth said while a sixth simply replied with a question mark.
Gerrard would be a disastrous appointment
Southampton are on track to set a Premier League record low number of points if they fail to take two from their final six matches.
Derby County finished with 11 during the 2007/08 campaign, setting an infamous record, and the Saints are currently on 10 after 32 games.
So, with confidence at an all-time low, links to Gerrard – an unproven manager with bad track record – is hardly going to restore any hope.
Southampton need to hire someone who is proven in the Championship, as they can ill afford to take many risks this summer.
Rohl, who has a £5 million release clause, certainly ticks that box but whether they get him depends on how ambitious Sport Republic are and the potential new takeover at Sheffield Wednesday.
Currently, there is no concrete interest in any candidate but someone of Rohl’s ilk is who they should be going for, and not Gerrard.