Ronald Koeman remains the odds-on favourite for the vacant Saints manager’s job, with the club saying they are “deep” into the process of finding Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement.

Pochettino walked out of St Mary’s a week ago to join Tottenham, leaving the St Mary’s board to search for a new man, writes GORDON SIMPSON.

Dutch legend Koeman, pictured below, remains the name most strongly linked with the job, with his agent revealing to the Daily Echo last week that the 51-year-old, who is leaving Feyenoord this summer, would be interested in the position.

While Koeman is one candidate on the radar, it looks as though former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes is not in the running at the moment, with no contact having been made with him yet.

Saints would like to have a new manager in place reasonably swiftly, although there is no firm indication yet as to when an appointment could be.

However, a statement from the club yesterday said: “We are deep in the process of appointing a new manager who will continue to move our club forward.”

Former Barcelona star Koeman, who won 78 caps for the Netherlands during a glittering playing career, took the helm at Feyenoord in 2011. His arrival resulted in an upturn in fortunes for the club, which he also played for.

Having finished tenth in the Eredivisie the season before he arrived, Koeman led Feyenoord to second place in his first campaign – their best result in 11 years.

They then came third in 2012/13, before finishing as runners-up to Ajax last term.

Among others, Koeman has also had spells managing Ajax and PSV – two clubs he played for during his career – while he has also taken charge at Benfica and Valencia.