There is a new name at the top of the bookies list for the Saints managers job and it's coming in from left field.

Rudi Garcia formerly manager of Roma and Lille has been installed by the bookies as the favourite to take over from Ronald Koeman at St Mary's, he has leapfrogged over the early leaders and is now down to around 4/1 with only one bookmaker offering better odds and that is only 5/1.

Frank De Boer is still around the same price, but it seems to be Garcia who is being touted, the bookies rarely get it far wrong so either they know something or there has been a few bob wagered on the Frenchman.

Garcia is 52 and has been in management since 1994, although his first big break came in 2001 when he took over as boss of St Etienne in France, as well as Dijon and Le Mans.

Garcia has been manager of Roma for the past three seasons, the first two saw him take Roma to runners up spot in Serie A but he was sacked in January of this year after only one win in 10 games, ironically a run which similar to the one Ronald Koeman was enduring at around the same time.

Prior to that he had been manager of Lille for five seasons, taking them to the French League title and being voted French manager of the year three times.

A surprise name into the frame, but one that seems to have all the hallmarks of the type of manager Saints look for these days with a mix of youth and experience with the ability to look at modern methods rather than just the old ways.

Garcia therefore looks a good fit for Saints especially since he seems to like to stay at a club, having had only two jobs in the past 8 years.

Do the bookies know something ?

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 22:36 - Jun 15 Good side Roma. I wouldn't be devasated if this were true but 4/1 is hardly 9/1 on so no 'insider' money yet.
2

BUCK added 22:45 - Jun 15 He's as low as 6-4 with sky bet.
2

Bettwsresident added 23:04 - Jun 15 sounds perfect, 3.5 on betfair and coming in fast
1

pintsizedsaint added 23:29 - Jun 15 An interesting (and unforeseen) candidate. Garcia is known to be tactically astute and well regarded. Did wonders at Roma but ultimately fell down. Massive fan of 4-3-3 and his teams constantly get compared to Barca for their attacking style and philosophy. Good be a good choice and he may well love the sports science and cutting edge technology available at Saints (including the black box!)

1

perazi added 23:55 - Jun 15 Would be very happy with Garcia's appointment. He does speak quite reasonable English too, which helps!
1

saintsnutcase added 01:11 - Jun 16 Really hope this happens
1

kenis added 04:40 - Jun 16 Seems like he's more likely to be Unai Emrey's replacement at Sevilla when Emrey goes to PSG. Would be a coo if we got him though.
1

ericofarabia added 07:40 - Jun 16 Pretty cool name ... also fits into the Southampton In Europa song ... Rudi takes us higher. Sign him up!!
1

salt27 added 09:25 - Jun 16 However, his name DOES NOT fit in with the VVD song, so if we do get Mr Garcia in, the only option would be to sell VVD ...
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highfield49 added 11:49 - Jun 16 Having never heard of Rudi Garcia until today it appears as though the board might just be about to pull off yet another managerial coup. His cv suggests that he is the right man for the job and, once again, we will be the envy of all the other losers who feel the pathetic need to poach talent from their rivals. COYR
3

WanderingSaint added 12:45 - Jun 16 Wow, this seems to be pretty reliable. Sky Bet is now 4-6 with RBD out to 6-1. There must be some truth in it. If the board pulls this off, then perhaps some of you guys will start to gain some trust and confidence in them? For 3 seasons in a row they’ve been thrown into a barrel of sh1t and managed to come out smelling or roses. They do really do deserve some serious respect, obviously IF this materialises.

2

NewburySaint added 13:52 - Jun 16 Yes please!
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