Southampton set sights on Championship boss to replace Russell Martin

According to sources, Southampton has identified Blackburn manager John Eustace as a potential replacement for Russell Martin.

Football Insider said (September 7) that ‘alarm bells’ are already ringing for Martin, 38, and that he may be fired by the end of the month

if performances do not improve quickly.

The Southampton board is beginning to question Martin’s style of play, after high-profile mistakes while playing out of the back lost the

team valuable points.

The South Coast team has lost their first four Premier League games since returning to the English top division, behind only Everton by a

goal differential.

Eustace, 44, is gaining recognition in the Championship after impressive seasons at Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

The English manager led Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship before being replaced by Wayne Rooney, and the club was

eventually relegated to League One at the end of the season.

Blackburn is one of three unbeaten clubs in the Championship, sitting third after three victories and two draws in their first five games.

They will next play away to Lancashire rivals Preston North End on Sunday (September 22) at 12pm.

Southampton meet fellow newly promoted side Ipswich at St Mary’s on Saturday (September 21), looking for an early six-pointer.

Southampton will be confident of picking up their first points of the season after defeating Everton on penalties in the League Cup on

Tuesday (September 17).

JUST IN: Southampton set sights on Championship boss to replace Russell Martin