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Two new managerial candidates flying up odds-maker’s boards for Southampton

By Blake Hampton

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Stoke City at St Mary's Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Southampton still continue to search for their new gaffer after relieving Claude Puel of his duties. The two most likely options being reported are that of Frank de Boer and Mauricio Pellegrino.

Yesterday it was reported that Pellegrino fancies the Crystal Palace vacancy over the Saints, which may have put Southampton in a difficult situation. However, two new names have seemed to appear out of nowhere on odds maker’s boards and there is now a new lead candidate for the position.

Patrick Vieira and Markus Weinzierl were both unnamed choices for the managerial role as of yesterday, they both find themselves high up on the oddsmaker’s boards as being top four options with De Boer and Pellegrino also being in that list.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Patrick Vieira the coach of Manchester City U21 shouts instructions to his players during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Manchester City U21 and Tottenham Hotspur U21 at The Academy Stadium on August 14, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Patrick Vieira the coach of Manchester City U21 shouts instructions to his players during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Manchester City U21 and Tottenham Hotspur U21 at The Academy Stadium on August 14, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Vieira, who is currently the manager of MLS squad New York City Football Club, is now the lead candidate for the position. He would bring playing experience and a personality that Southampton have desperately needed.

Being a star playing for the French national team, he understands what it would take to be successful. He has limited managing experience, but in that experience he has proved that he has what it takes to be a top-flight manager in any league.

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The other option, Weinzierl, was previous a manager at Shalke 04. That stint did not last long however, seeing that he did not reach European football or a cup title.

The German manager found success earlier in his career though. Weinzierl was the manager at FC Augsburg and led a team with limited talent to a fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga.

He was once known as one of the most promising German managers in the game, and could bring a lot of influence and promise to a squad that needs it.

Both managers listed above bring different qualities. These options could prove to be successful if given the right tools to succeed.

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