AS Saints continue the process of hiring a new manager to replace Ronald Koeman, the Daily Echo wants to know who YOU want at the St Mary's helm next term.

Les Reed and Saints are working out the best man suited for the job, with three names emerging as the front-runners for the role in the mind of the club's executive director of football.

Former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, ex-Nice manager Claude Puel and Vitor Pereira of Turkish giants Fenerbahce are all understood to be on Reed's shortlist.

Each of the candidates bring their own pedigree, but who do you think will offer Saints the most?

The club want a man that will best suit their ethos, with the academy and style of play high on the agenda.

Puel nor Pereira have experience of managing in the Premier League, but are held in high regard on the continent after successes in their respective homelands.

Frenchman Puel has won things with Monaco while Portuguese Pereira has collected trophies with Porto as well as in Greece with Olympiacos.

Pellegrini without a shadow of any doubt brings the most in terms of managerial prestige, being considered among the big hitters.

He is, on the face it, the best option Saints have at his stage.

The former Real Madrid boss has won the Premier League as well as two League Cups during his spell at the Etihad Stadium since 2013.

Arguably, considering the amount of cash at his disposal at City, there should have been more silverware, but the Chilean still brings with him a big reputation.

So, who do you think Saints should hire?

Please add your in-depth thoughts in the comments section below.