Three likely replacements for Ronald Koeman at Southampton

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Eddie Howe – Bournemouth

A choice that would certainly raise eyebrows on the South Coast, Eddie Howe has led the club that he made over 250 appearances for as a player from League Two and administration to the cash-rich top flight for the first time in Bournemouth’s history.

Howe was called into action in desperate times at Dean Court as the Cherries struggled financially, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the former defender not only rescued the club from relegation in 2008-09 but to the fourth division promotion the following year.

In January 2011 Howe stepped into the Burnley hot-seat but returned back to the South Coast in October 2012 with “personal reasons” deemed as the factor in his exit. Bournemouth were very happy to have their former management protégé back, and after Paul Groves’ unpopular spell, Howe was able to guide the Cherries to promotion to the Championship.

A second promotion followed after two seasons and Howe was able to keep up the South Coast side with the same swashbuckling style that had won the Cherries many admirers during their rise up the divisions.

The young Englishman has a lot of potential, but Bournemouth’s local neighbours may be foiled by Howe’s indifference to moving and breaking a strong bond between him and the club’s supporters. Howe turned down the job after Alan Pardew was sacked by the Saints’ in 2010, and may reject the chance to step into the Southampton hot-seat once again.

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