Southampton Considers New Manager with 3-4-3 Tactical Expertise and League Title Win

According to recent reports, Southampton’s leadership is now considering a manager who specializes in the 3-4-3 formation as they continue their search for Russell Martin’s replacement.

The Saints have struggled this season, winning only one Premier League match. This poor performance led to Martin’s dismissal, as his possession-based style failed to yield the same results in the top flight as it did in the Championship.

Southampton aims to appoint a new manager before their upcoming match against Fulham. Several candidates have been linked to the position, including Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl, though his compensation fee may be prohibitive.

Former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand and ex-Roma boss Ivan Juric are also under consideration. The club appears to be focusing on free agents to avoid paying substantial compensation fees.

A surprising new name has emerged as a potential candidate: Vasco Matos, the current manager of Santa Clara in Portugal. Matos, who favors a 3-4-3 formation, led Santa Clara to the Liga Portugal 2 title last season and has them sitting fourth in the top division this year.

Matos’s success in Portugal has caught Southampton’s attention. Under his guidance, Santa Clara has won nine of their first 14 league games this season, trailing third-place Benfica by just five points.

The 44-year-old manager has made Santa Clara difficult to beat, losing only three games last season and conceding just 19 goals in 34 matches. His ability to organize a strong defense and overachieve with limited resources appeals to Southampton as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

While Matos is not currently at the top of Southampton’s managerial shortlist, his candidacy remains one to watch as the club continues its search for a new leader.