Middlesbrough fans call for previous Saints target Danny Rohl's appointment as new manager after Michael Carrick's sacking.
Apart from Ipswich and Leicester, the promotion missed clubs will be Southampton's biggest rivals next Championship season. Needless to say, should the Saints conquer most of them, their promotion chances will strengthen.
Yet, Championship has seen many dark horses time and again. And who better than Southampton will agree to this, who got stumbled by one such side, Middlesborough in the 2023/24 season?
In case you remember, Michael Carrick's Middlesborough had gotten the better of the Saints both times, having defeated them once and frustrated them to a draw in the other game. And that ultimately impacted Southampton's direct promotion chances.
But if Southampton already need to carefully watch Boro next season, the Saints' fears must increase knowing their latest transfer links.
That's because they might need to face their previous staff in Danny Rohl the next time they face the Boro club.
So, recently, after Michael Carrick's sacking, Middlesborough have been linked with multiple managers. But going by fans' demand, the side must appoint previous Saints target Danny Rohl next.
Speaking to Football League World, fan pundit Liam Day expressed: “My replacement would be Danny Rohl. He’s clearly a very talented manager, and that’s an opportunity Boro cannot miss out on, in my opinion.”
Saints fans would want Rohl's Championship links to turn false
Honestly, Rohl to Middlesborough isn't concreted anyway for now, but should it happen, Southampton fans must be cautiously careful.
Days ago, the St. Mary's faithful were laughing at the manager's fate after he had been rejected by Werder Bremen. Knowing that, if Rohl continues in the Championship, be it at Middlesborough or elsewhere, the former assistant coach wouldn't be soft on the Saints.
Surely, a showdown between previous fan-favourite Rohl and new boss Will Still might excite some Saints supporters, but deep down, they’ll be hoping it never happens.
Having said that, with most other ex-Saints bosses inching closer to their new clubs, Rohl's new managerial stint isn't far away too. But will it begin in the Championship against Southampton? Let's see.