CHRIS Coleman has shot to the front of the queue to become George Burley's successor at Saints.

The former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss, who quit his post in Spain last week amid rumours he was to join Newcastle as Kevin Keegan's number two, has instead issued a "come and get me" plea to the Saints board.

Coleman's agent Alan Smith - the former Crystal Palace manager - said: "Of course Chris will be interested. It's a good club and has a fantastic new stadium now.

"Probably through nobody's fault, the club's under achieved a little bit but, for someone like Chris, with his enthusiasm, passion and freshness - and with what he has learned in Spain - it could be a good job.

"In fairness, Southampton have only just settled the compensation package for George Burley and there is a bit of respect.

"They aren't going to appoint someone immediately but, before the end of this week, I'm sure we will have touched base, see what the job is and see what they're looking for.

"And then we can see whether someone like Chris would fit that role.

"I'm sure they will be looking for someone to go in there and return them to where they should have been in the first place."

Coleman, 37, knows Saints chief executive Lee Hoos well from his time at Fulham, where the latter held the post of secretary and deputy general manager, and the pair are believed to have remained in contact since.

Hoos said yesterday: "We do have some ideas but obviously we can't set any wheels in motion until the Scottish Football Association confirm that George Burley will be their new manager.

"What we will do is look at various options and then draw up a shortlist of candidates to take this club forward. It is important we follow a logical and thorough process."

Saints have a board meeting today, at which they will discuss their next move with Lawrie McMenemy given a leading role in choosing Burley's successor.

The name of Glenn Hoddle is likely to be high on the club's shortlist, as is Saints legend Alan Shearer, but it is debatable as to whether either would be prepared to work on a shoestring budget at St Mary's until such time as new investment can be found.

Hoddle has always spoken fondly of his time at Saints in 2000-2001 before he sensationally left to take on his "dream" job of managing Tottenham, where he had such an illustrious playing career.

In Hoddle's favour at St Mary's is the fact that his old number two, John Gorman, is already back at Saints on the coaching staff, but the 50-year-old would still have to overcome some of the fanbase, who won't forgive him for walking out on them.

Hoddle also has a new football academy venture in Spain and has turned down a number of other offers to return to management.

McMenemy will be addressing the media later today but there are some reports that Hoddle has already been approached and are waiting to hear back from him with chairman Leon Crouch having described him as his number one choice.

Crouch said: "This is not a job for a rookie. I am a Saints fan and want the best man for the job."

In a Daily Echo poll conducted in the past 24 hours on the subject, Hoddle comes out on top with 38 per cent of the vote with Shearer narrowly behind on 33.