Southampton’s Next Manager: Betting Odds on the Premier League’s Worst-Ever Team
German or Englishman?
Southampton’s 1:3 defeat at Tottenham confirmed the earliest relegation in Premier League history, with eight matches still remaining. Ivan Jurić, appointed in December on an 18-month deal following Russell Martin’s departure, oversaw what now ranks as the ninth-shortest managerial stint in league history. The club remains at risk of further ignominy, still needing two points to avoid breaking Derby County’s record-low 11-point finish from the 2007-08 season.
Next Permanent Southampton Manager
Who will take charge of the Saints? Let’s break down the leading contenders — and of course, the latest betting odds.
Southampton Next Manager Odds
Nine out of ten clubs relegated from the Premier League in the past five years have chosen managers with prior experience in English football. That trend is clearly reflected in the bookmakers' top five favourites for the Southampton job.
Top 5 Contenders
Overall, betting firms haven’t had the best record when it comes to correctly predicting new managerial appointments this season. The hit rate sits around 30%. However, there’s one important caveat in this case: the presence of a clear favourite with short odds. In such scenarios, bookmakers haven’t been wrong this season.
Danny Röhl – The Rising Star Behind Wednesday’s Revival
Most pundits agree: the extremely short odds on Röhl suggest that talks with Southampton may already be underway.
At just 35, Danny Röhl has emerged as one of the most promising managers in England. Taking over with Sheffield Wednesday rock bottom on three points, he has guided them to mid-table safety — 11 points clear of relegation and even within touching distance of the play-offs.
Röhl’s previous collaboration with Southampton’s new technical director Johannes Spors at RB Leipzig could prove a decisive factor.
Despite his on-pitch success, off-field problems like late wages at Wednesday may prompt the German to seek a more stable and ambitious challenge.
And while relegated clubs tend to favour British coaches — at least over the past five years — nearly 40% of appointments have gone to foreign managers.
Liam Rosenior: A Tempting But Unlikely Option
Liam Rosenior is priced at 6/1 to take over at Southampton, but prying him away from Strasbourg may be difficult. The 40-year-old has led the French club to an unexpected fourth-place finish in Ligue 1, putting them in genuine contention for a Champions League spot.
Football pundit Joe Jacobson recently noted:
Despite a controversial dismissal from Hull, Rosenior’s stock remains high. With experience as Wayne Rooney’s assistant at Derby, he’s viewed as one of the game’s rising managerial talents. Still, would he swap a European push for a Championship rebuild?
Steve Cooper: From UEFA to the Saints?
It’s been nearly five months since Steve Cooper’s departure from Leicester. Best known for steering Nottingham Forest from the Championship drop zone to Premier League promotion in a matter of months, Cooper’s experience in England’s second tier could be invaluable to Southampton’s ambitions.
However, there’s little to indicate that Cooper is eager to jump back in just yet. He’s currently working with UEFA, helping select Players of the Match — and that may remain his priority until the season concludes.
Gary O’Neil: Proven Survivor Facing an Unwanted Step Back?
Another manager with Championship experience — but not necessarily one keen on returning.
After being dismissed by Wolves in December, Gary O’Neil — who previously kept both Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League — might have to drop back into the Championship for his next role.
Despite a strong first season at Molineux, his second ended poorly, with Wolves sitting 19th when he was sacked.
A move to Southampton may feel like a step down, but it could give O’Neil a genuine chance to rebuild and mount another promotion push.
Simon Rusk: Interim Role Today, Permanent Job Tomorrow?
After joining from Nottingham Forest as Southampton’s U21 manager, Rusk stepped up as caretaker following Russell Martin’s dismissal. He oversaw two matches and has now been asked to lead the team for the final seven games of the season.
With relegation now confirmed, the club faces no immediate pressure to hire a permanent manager. That opens the door for Rusk to prove himself worthy of the top job.
And given that nearly a fifth of managers at recently relegated clubs have made the jump from interim to full-time boss over the past five seasons, Rusk’s long odds might be slightly inflated.
Clubs Relegated from the Premier League (2020–2024)
|
Criteria |
Total |
Percentage |
|
Change of manager after relegation |
12/15 |
80% |
|
Appointed a manager with experience in England |
13/5 |
87% |
|
Appointed a British or Irish manager |
9/15 |
60% |
|
Appointed a foreign manager |
6/15 |
40% |
|
Appointed a manager under 45 |
8/15 |
53% |
|
Internal appointments (academy, assistants etc) |
2/15 |
13% |
Other Potential Contenders
There are a few high-profile names on the list, but appointing Gareth Southgate, Steven Gerrard, or Michael Carrick seems highly unlikely.
Southgate has never managed a Championship club, and Gerrard is more likely to return to Scotland, where he has found far more success than in England. As for Carrick, his focus remains firmly on leading Middlesbrough to Premier League promotion.
Next Permanent Southampton Manager
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