SAINTS will not be replacing Ronald Koeman with his former Holland teammate Frank de Boer, according to the former Ajax manager’s agent.

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has reported that Saints have made a “serious attempt” to replace Koeman with De Boer, who is available after a six-year spell as Ajax manager.

But Guido Albers, who also looked after Koeman before the ex-Saints boss decided to switch agents, has dismissed those claims out of hand.

Koeman will soon be appointed as Everton manager.

But Albers insists there has been no interest from Saints in De Boer, who led Ajax to four successive Dutch titles before resigning when they were pipped to the 2015-16 championship on the last day of the season.

Albers told the Daily Echo: “I’ve talked to [Saints director of football] Les Reed every three days over the last five weeks, we have a good relationship, but we have not discussed Frank de Boer at any moment.”

On the face of it, bookies’ favourite De Boer would be a very good appointment for both parties.

But there would be no guarantee that he would want the job, even if Saints were interested.

Replacing Koeman will be a very good opportunity for someone, given the platform for success at St Mary’s following last season’s top-six finish and their qualification for the Europa League.

De Boer, Holland’s most capped footballer, has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Premier League.

He was a contender to replace Roberto Martinez at Everton before Koeman’s change of heart.

But from De Boer’s perspective, Koeman would be a tough act to follow in his first season in English football’s top flight.

The comparisons with his compatriot and former teammate would not make it the ideal first overseas managerial job for the 46 year-old.

Koeman is expected to be confirmed as the new Everton manager in the next 24 hours after performing his U-turn following his decision to switch agents.

He had belonged to Albers’ stable at the Dutch agency Players United for several years before joining Rob Jansen, of the Wasserman Group, who also have Saints reserve goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on their books.

Les Reed is understood to have read about Koeman’s change of heart in the press, before having it confirmed by Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, Andres Villas-Boas and Sevilla’s Unai Emery have also been linked with the Saints vacancy.

Another possible contender is Vitor Pereira, the former Portugal midfielder who managed Fenerbahce to a runners-up finish in the Turkish League last season.