Russell Martin’s future at Southampton is unknown following a report linking him with Brighton and Hove Albion.
FootballTransfers reported yesterday night that Brighton had conversations with Martin over the international break.
Roberto De Zerbi is scheduled to leave the Seagulls at the end of the season, and Martin is being considered as his replacement.
The Saints manager was born in Brighton and attended their academy as a youth player, so technical director David Weir sees him as a perfect fit.
Having said that, if he does depart Southampton in the summer, here are three options the club should examine.
Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior is well-known in the game for his work at Hull City, which transformed them from a bottom-half club to play-off contenders.
The former Derby caretaker has created an appealing style of play at the Humberside club, akin to Martin’s.
Rosenior has been nominated for EFL Championship manager of the season, with Leeds United’s Daniel Farke and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, so he’d be an intriguing and promising addition.
Graham Potter
This one would undoubtedly require Saints to be promoted to the Premier League.
Graham Potter has been out of employment since his dismissal from Chelsea just over a year ago, and it appears he is taking his time deciding on his next club.
Given his great performance at Brighton before to his dismal Blues stay, he’d be hesitant to move down to the Championship.
He’ll be anxious to remedy those wrongs in his next venture, and given his emphasis on developing young talent, he appears to be an ideal candidate for the South Coasters, who take pride in their famed Staplewood academy.
Carlos Coberan
Carlos Coberan was Marcelo Bielsa’s right-hand man at Leeds United, and since becoming a manager himself, he’s gained tremendous knowledge.
His first role was at Huddersfield Town, when he led the West Yorkshire club to the Championship play-off final before losing narrowly to Nottingham Forest.
A brief stay at Olympiacos followed before joining West Bromwich Albion in October 2022. Coberan has positioned the Baggies as legitimate promotion contenders this season, as they sit fifth.
Indeed, his availability will be heavily influenced by West Brom’s promotion, which they have a strong possibility of attaining.
In fact, as things stand, they will face Southampton in the play-off semi-finals.
