Next Southampton manager odds: Tonda Eckert favourite to replace Will Still

Southampton made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season as they followed up the midweek 2-1 win at QPR with a 3-1 home victory over lowly Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Still in the market for a permanent head coach following Will Still’s exit earlier this month, the club are expected to make a decision over their next boss during the international break.

With that, we run through the updated favourites from the UK's best bookmakers in Saints’ quest to find a permanent successor.

Tonda Eckert

Having been handed the Saints role on an interim boss, Tonda Eckert oversaw a 2-1 win at QPR on his debut game. He followed that up with a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at St. Mary’s on Saturday as Saints look to pull away from the dropzone.

While temporarily keeping the hotseat warm, back-to-back wins for the first time this season will have done Eckert’s bid to keep the job the world of good. Last week the 32-year-old was at 3/1 on William Hill to take over the Saints reins permanently. That’s since shortened to 4/5 with the young boss now the frontrunner for the Saints role.

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Gary O’Neil

Gary O’Neil turned down the Wolves job last week and while he was the 13/8 favourite to succeed Still at St. Mary’s, the 42-year-old has since drifted into 2/1 to take over the Saints role. O’Neil has managerial experience on the south coast owing to his time as Bournemouth boss.

However, you’d forgive supporters for not welcoming O’Neil with open arms. The former midfielder came through the ranks at rivals Portsmouth, which unsurprisingly works against the ex-Wolves boss. He’s not quite out of the running just yet but fans would rather see another candidate get the job than the former Pompey man.

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Michael Carrick

A return to Middlesbrough is unlikely for Michael Carrick, who departed the Riverside Stadium earlier in the year. Boro are expected to be on the lookout for a new manager before long as head coach Rob Edwards closes in on a switch to Wolves. Carrick, though, is more likely to take at Saints if the markets are to be believed.

Indeed, Carrick was at 8/1 to succeed Still at St. Mary’s but he’s since shortened to 5/1 to make the move south. The 44-year-old isn’t leading the pack to take on the Saints role permanently but he shouldn’t be discounted at this stage, especially if the board look for a more experienced man to take over.

Brendan Rodgers

After leaving Celtic last month, Brendan Rodgers has been linked with an immediate return to management this side of the border. Rodgers was initially one of the favourites to take over as Wolves boss, but the Northern Irishman remains without a role as the Premier League side prioritise Rob Edwards.

Might Rodgers be convinced about a return to the game with Southampton? The 52-year-old is now level with Carrick at 5/1 to take over at St. Mary’s. However, if Saints wish to bring in a more experienced head, they’ll need to act swiftly with Rodgers reportedly exploring a Saudi Pro League switch.

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Russell Martin

Having been as short as 2/1 with William Hill to return to Saints last week, Russell Martin has drifted to 6/1 to rock back up at St. Mary’s. Martin is another who is out of work at the moment having been relieved of his Rangers duties last month. The Gers are currently picking up the pieces of his ill-fated 123-day spell at Ibrox under Danny Rohl.

Martin may not be on the market for much longer, however. Not because Saints are looking to imminently re-appoint the 39-year-old but because Martin is one of the frontrunners to take over as Norwich boss. The former defender spent nine years on the Carrow Road books, and the Canaries could turn their attention to ex-Swansea and Saints head coach to succeed Liam Manning in Norfolk. 

Next Southampton manager odds

Odds correct at time of writing.

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