ALAIN PERRIN is exactly the sort of manager Rupert Lowe needs to appoint as Gordon Strachan's replacement.

That's the view of European-based Saints fan Neil Gosney, who has watched Perrin's managerial career with interest in recent years.

Perrin, who resigned his post at Marseille last week, has been heavily linked with the impending St Mary's vacancy.

And Gosney, who writes a weekly column on Spanish football for The Pink, said the time is right for Lowe to appoint the club's first-ever continental coach.

That goes against the comments aired by ex-Saints boss Alan Ball in Tuesday's Daily Echo.

"I would be all for seeing someone like Perrin take over," said Gosney.

"I would prefer to see someone like him come in and not be a resounding success rather than someone like Peter Reid appointed.

"Appointing a traditional English manager would be a backward step.

"Modern times call for modern methods and the time is right for Saints to be seen as a modern, forward-thinking club and appoint a foreigner.

"Perrin has a good track record and he's managed in the Champions League this season, so that has to be a bonus."

Strachan was quick to publicly play down Saints' chances of grabbing the fourth Champions League spot this season after last month's derby victory over Pompey had seen them leap into the top four.

Gosney, based in La Manga in Spain, believes that was a poor public relations exercise and said: "Strachan should be talking our chances up rather than saying he didn't think we could finish fourth. The fans want to be told we've got a chance of the Champions League.

"I don't think a foreign coach like Perrin would ever say anything like that.

"And he would never say he was happy with the squad he had like Strachan did before Christmas when he said he wasn't planning major transfer window signings.

"You've always got to be looking to improve."

Gosney added: "Foreign coaches don't mess around, they are always quick to stamp out any large egos in the dressing room.

"Perrin has the scariest eyes I've seen - he's like a gangster!

"He wouldn't take any trouble from anyone.

"I'm sure he would change the way Saints think of themselves.

"He would also inject a bit more flair without compromising the defence - after all, he had Michael Svensson with him at Troyes so he knows a bit about good defenders and good defending.

"If Lowe's going to act, he must act now."

Gosney continued: "I wouldn't want Philippe Troussier from what I've heard. I know a few Japanese fans and they say his football is too long-ball.

"They also said he's a big fan of big-name players and would keep them in the side even if they weren't playing well, and if the results didn't go his way he blames the players."