Southampton told to keep Selles as manager

Southampton should keep Ruben Selles as manager even if they get relegated to the Championship, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Saints struggling

The Saints continue to be involved in the Premier League relegation battle, currently sitting bottom of the table, two points from safety, having also played one game more than 17th-placed Leicester City.

Selles was given the manager’s job on an interim basis after the departure of Nathan Jones at the end of February, and while there has not been a major turnaround in results, there have been some promising signs, recently drawing 3-3 against Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, there have now been calls for the manager to be offered the job on a permanent basis, regardless of what division Southampton find themselves in next season.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

In an interview with GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that Sport Republic should look at offering the interim boss the full-time role as manager. The journalist said:

“I think Rubén Sellés would be a good shout to get it. I think of the continuity, he knows the club and obviously knows the players as well. I’m sure Southampton fans would see him as somebody who could get them straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

“He’s very good at working with younger players, which he’s got a previous track record of and that would only be good for Southampton.

“I think he’d be a tailor-made fit to stay at Southampton, if they do go down and to try and lead a rebuild of the club and get them back to the Premier League.”

The Verdict: Right call?

There has certainly been an improvement in Southampton since the 39-year-old took the reigns, digging out a vital 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Leicester City, and picking up a hard-fought point in a 0-0 draw at Manchester United.

Journalist Jacob Tanswell has previously claimed the young manager is ‘ambitious’ and ‘wants to coach at the top’, while also adding that the players have been ‘impressed’ ever since he arrived at the club.

However, whether the Spaniard is worthy of being offered the full-time job depends on his performance for the remainder of the season, as it is still early days in his managerial career.

If Selles manages to orchestrate a great escape in the final 10 games of the Premier League season, then there is no question he should be offered the job on a permanent basis, potentially making this one to watch.