The Ugly Inside takes a look at all the candidates for George Burley's replacement. 

Everyone is speculating as to who will be the next saints manager, we at The Ugly Inside bring you are guide to the pro's and con's of each candidate.

Billy Davies 

According to many bookies he is the favourite for the job, but certainly not with Saints supporters who have a sour taste in their mouth from last seasons clash's with his former club Derby County, not just in the play off's but also in an explosive counter in the league at St Mary's.

However he does have the track record that Saints are looking for and could bring the discipline and fitness that has been lacking at the club.

Gary Johnson

Currently at Bristol City, where after taking them to promotion last term has made them genuine contenders for at least a play off spot. A name that has often been linked with Saints in the past since his spell as latvian coach when he recommended Marian Pahars to the club.

Back then during his spell with Yeovil he was considered a little too inexperienced, but now there is no doubting he ticks all the right boxes.

Would he leave Ashton Gate ? On the face of it the answer would surely be no, but sources in Bristol tell us that he is ambitious and could see saints as a step up the ladder, certainly he would maybe have more money available in Bristol, but its beleived that he is disapointed with poor attendances this season and feels that he is not getting the recognition for his achievements, he could feel that Bristol City are not a sleeping giant and that he would be better to move on.

Jason Dodd  

Whilst we are all big fans of Jason, to be blunt what Saints need now is discipline and experience and at the moment Jason cannot offer Saints that, he had not completed a full season at Eastleigh as a manger when he arrived at St Mary's and half a season as coach here hardly adds to that limited experience, Dodd may yet become a Saints manager, but that appointment should be a few years away yet, we should have learned from the Stuart Gray/Steve Wigley fiasco's.

Micky Adams  

Certainly has the experience and also the Saints connections, so is a good dark horse and one that wouldnt be too unwelcome amongst Saints supporters, however his track record is good in the lower tiers and not so good at Championship or above.

Alan Shearer   

Intruigingly Shearer stated this week that he wouldnt rule out working at another club, perhaps an indication that he is aware that if he is to harbour ambitions at Newcastle he needs to have at least some proven track record.

But would Saints fit the bill ? and would we want him ?it would be certainly a journey into the unknown and lets face it its hard to see what he would bring to the party, unless Newcastle Chairman Mike Ashley agreed to sponsor his education so to speak and gave him a few million to spent whilst he is down here.

Kevin Blackwell 

If Saints decide to think outside the square, then Blackwell might be a surprise choice, built his reputation at Leeds, where unlike Burley he didnt moan about having to work under the clouds of boardroom crisis, but got on and did a good job in difficult circumstances and against all odds took them to the play offs.

His time at Luton has seen him work under similar pressure as Luton went into administration so joining Saints would be a doddle for him, he ticks a lot of boxes and could be the thinking mans choice.

Paul Ince 

The up and coming manager of the lower leagues and prepared to learn his trade before he joins a bigger club, like Roy Keane Ince has an aora about him and that is a big plus point, but the downside is he is rumoures to have turned down at least thre clubs in Derby, Wigan and Norwich, so unlikely he would opt to leave MK Dons just yet, the Saints post could be a few months too early for him, but and its a big but, if Saints appointed a caretaker to the end of the season, would he be prepared to join then, do not discount this option Lawrie McMenemy is itching to get a hands on role and would possibly favour himself overseeing a caretaker boss ie Jason Dodd.

Chris Coleman 

Proved he could manage in the Premier at Fulham, but in truth he had money to spend and didnt set the World alight, a controversial spell at Real Sociedad has just ended and he is on the market, its hard to see a club in the Premier offering him a spot so he will be looking at the promiment Championship clubs.

Glenn Hoddle 

The mere mention of his name in any conversation amongst Saints supporters immediately creates two camps, in fairness though no one disputes what he did at the Dell in terms of the team and that could be a key factor.

Most of the noise so far in the press linking Hoddle has been from his agent, however if a return was to be managed properly then it could be accepted by the fans, it would need Hoddle to be a little humble and the fact to be pointed out that he turned a good squad that was underacjhieving under Dave Jones into contenders for Europe, and that he did this with limited signings and transfer budget, very similar to the job that is required of the manager at St Mary's now.

Lets be blunt if Hoddle hadnt left under a cloud he would probably be the favourite amongst Saints supporters and we have to ask ourselves should we cut our noses off to spite our faces, the best candidate has to be employed and if that is Glenn Hoddle then both he and the fans have to bite the bullet a littel, after all if Pompey can do it with Harry Redknapp so can we.

Nick Holmes 

It would be nice to see Nick back at the Dell, but in all truth like Jason Dodd he hasnt the experience at this level. He has done a great job at Salisbury, but the Conference isnt the Championship, if we approached the manager of another Conference club, say Forest Green, on the basis that he had taken them up to the Conference and cemented them in mid table, the fans would be in uproar, its important that this appointment is based on ability and proven track record rather than emotional ties to the Club, Im sorry Nick I would love to see you back, but you havent got the experience.

Stuart Pearce   

Funnily enough hasnt been mentioned very much in the running, his position on a return to club management is unclear and maybe with the appointment of Fabio Capello he isnt feeling so secure as England U21 boss, he would certainly fit the bill for Saints on a number of points.

Dream Teams

Two years ago Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali expressed an interest in the Saints job although they havent done so, as yet with this one, I think some of my previous comments have covered this, although there would certainly be  measure of support for this and as I said earlier Lawrie McMenemy would be itching to be alongside them as their mentor, we have to look at what would be brought to the table when the initial euphoria had died down, presently Saints is a ship that is way off course and it needs someone on the bridge who knows how to steer it.

Photo: Action Images

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