Marcelo Gallardo on the touchline
Southampton are set to battle Leeds United for the appointment of Marcelo Gallardo as their new manager, according to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Jones sacked by Southampton
Nathan Jones was sacked earlier today after just three months in charge of the club, and the search has now begun for a new manager to give the Saints the best possible chance of retaining their Premier League status.
The recently sacked Jesse Marsch has already been linked with the vacant role at St Mary’s, and Southampton now have their eye on one of the Whites’ targets to replace the American at Elland Road.
The Latest: Gallardo eyed by Southampton
According to Football Insider, the Saints have joined Leeds in the battle for Gallardo, having already started drafting up a shortlist of managers to replace Jones.
However, the Argentine reportedly wants to wait until the end of the season before taking up a new role, so it remains to be seen whether Sport Republic will be able to tempt him to Southampton.
The Verdict: Right move?
The 47-year-old has amassed a total of 255 career wins and has a proven history of success, winning the Copa Libertadores twice with River Plate, along with three Argentine Cups.
BBC Radio Solent’s Adam Blackmore has hailed the former River Plate boss as a ‘serious top class’ manager who would ‘impact quickly’ if hired at St Mary’s, which is exactly what Southampton need given that they are five points from safety in the Premier League.
Furthermore, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed the work that Gallardo did in Argentina as ‘incredible’.
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has no experience in English football, so appointing him would definitely be a risk, although his track record indicates that it could be a risk worth taking for Southampton.
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