Southampton next manager: Owner source reveals 'the two candidates we've got'
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has backed Kasper Hjulmand to become the new Southampton manager following the sacking of Russell Martin.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs and their owners – insisted the former Denmark national team boss has the right experience to do a good job at St Mary’s.
Martin, 38, helped Southampton secure promotion back to the Premier League in his first season in charge of the club.
But he was sacked following the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham on 15 December, with the club sitting nine points from safety at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, 35, and Hjulmund, 52, who resigned from his position with Denmark in July, have been instilled as the early favourites to replace Martin.
Southampton facing rebuild after poor start
Wyness believes Southampton are already looking at a potential rebuild in the Championship next season following their poor start to this campaign.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We have got two candidates I’m being told.
“Danny Rohl from Sheffield Wednesday and then Hjulmand the ex-Denmark national team manager, who I think is probably the favourite in my book given the existing sporting director and management team in Southampton.
“I think he's got the right experience. I think he knows some great Scandinavian players he could bring in.
“But I think already with only five points, we are looking at them as a rebuild for the Championship next season and coming back up again stronger.
“I think Hjulmand would be a good manager at that time to come in.
“He would be my preferred candidate. He’s a good operator.
“I’ve watched him in the Danish national job and I think he could do a good job at Southampton.
“They are going to have to pull it around over Christmas, otherwise, they are going to be in a black hole and it’s just too far to come up.”
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