SOUTHAMPTON have narrowed their search for a new manager to three candidates after dismissing Ivan Juric.
Following their relegation to the Championship, the Saints terminated Juric`s contract, which had a break clause effective from the summer. This decision came after their demotion was confirmed at Tottenham on Sunday.
As previously reported, Sheffield Wednesday`s boss Danny Rohl remains a leading contender for the Southampton job next season.
Johannes Spors, Southampton`s new technical director, has been meeting with potential managerial candidates since assuming his role in February.
Southampton initially considered ten potential managers, holding discussions with several before narrowing the list to the final three.
Liam Rosenior, 40, currently managing Strasbourg, is considered an ambitious option.
The former Hull City boss has made a strong impression in France, positioning Ligue 1 club Strasbourg fourth in the league table, just one point away from Champions League qualification.
Strasbourg is owned by Chelsea`s parent company, BlueCo, giving Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali influence over Rosenior`s future.
While Rosenior would have the final say, it would be surprising if he chose to leave Strasbourg for a Championship club like Southampton.
Interim manager Simon Rusk, with assistance from Adam Lallana, will manage Southampton for the remaining seven Premier League matches.
The identity of the third candidate remains undisclosed, but Southampton are reportedly prioritizing a manager with experience in English football, following the unsuccessful appointment of Juric.
Appointing Rohl will depend on reaching a compensation agreement with Sheffield Wednesday.
Rohl, a former Southampton assistant manager, has a release clause of £4 million for Premier League clubs, with a lower fee for Championship clubs.
Similar to the Russell Martin situation two years prior, Southampton may need to wait until their Premier League status is officially relinquished to avoid the higher compensation fee.
The previous acquisition of Martin from Swansea City resulted in a legal dispute with the Welsh club, something Southampton aims to avoid this time.
