---
title: "Southampton: Saints eyeing Marcelo Gallardo for manager’s role"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/marcelo-gallardo-saints-manager-news-rumours-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-02-12T19:15:35Z"
modified: "2023-02-12T19:15:35Z"
---

# Southampton: Saints eyeing Marcelo Gallardo for manager’s role

**[Southampton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/) are set to battle Leeds United for the appointment of Marcelo Gallardo as their new manager, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-southampton-battle-leeds-united-to-lure-top-manager-target-marcelo-gallardo/).**

### The Lowdown: Jones sacked by Southampton

Nathan Jones was [sacked](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64616084) 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](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) status.

The [recently sacked](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63339426) Jesse Marsch has already been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-jesse-marsch-could-take-hot-seat-saints-st-marys/) 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](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-southampton-battle-leeds-united-to-lure-top-manager-target-marcelo-gallardo/), 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.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419212″\]

### The Verdict: Right move?

The 47-year-old has amassed a total of [255](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marcelo-gallardo/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/19885) career wins and has a proven history of success, [winning](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marcelo-gallardo/erfolge/trainer/19885) the Copa Libertadores twice with River Plate, along with three Argentine Cups.

BBC Radio Solent’s Adam Blackmore has [hailed](https://twitter.com/AdamBlackmore/status/1624725807527591936?s=20&t=v-8Q9DNSZB03LAaCulfvLA) 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](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) points from safety in the Premier League.

Furthermore, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has [hailed](https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/the-magic-of-marcelo-gallardo-loved-by-pep-barca-links-so-why-still-river/) the work that Gallardo did in Argentina as ‘incredible’.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has [no experience](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marcelo-gallardo/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/19885) 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.