LAWRIE McMenemy has pleaded with all Saints fans to be "realistic" with regards to George Burley's successor.
The club's well-documented financial problems mean the next manager will have to work within a tight budget.
Writing in his exclusive Daily Echo column today, football board director McMenemy said: "The new appointment will have to be aware of the financial realism.
"Yes, transfer money has come in but it only helps to run the club on a day-to-day basis."
There is a suggestion that Saints would be reluctant to take a manager from another Football League club to avoid a potentially-costly compensation package.
That leaves the likes of Chris Coleman, Micky Adams, Steve Cotterill, Kevin Blackwell and Martin Allen - none of whom are currently working - with a possible advantage over other candidates.
Saints have had applications from managers currently employed elsewhere.
As well as heavy constraints on the transfer budget, Burley's successor will also be strictly limited on bringing in his own backroom staff.
See Lawrie Mac column in today's Daily Echo
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