Southampton’s season has ended as they were barred from the play-offs for spying on Middlesbrough before of their semi-final.

Despite the fact that Saints overcame Boro in two legs, an independent disciplinary commission determined that such a punishment was justified, and Southampton also lost their appeal.

The south coast club is now dealing with the fallout, and fans will undoubtedly be outraged by what happened. While the club has committed ‘accountability’ and ‘humility’, it will be a matter of waiting and watching what action is implemented.

Southampton might be seeking for a Tonda Eckert successor.

Tonda Eckert’s future has been the subject of much curiosity since the espionage allegations surfaced, particularly after he confessed responsibility for what had occurred.

In addition to concerns about his future, an FA probe into the event could result in a suspension from football for the German.

As a result, the Saints will need to hunt for a prospective replacement as they prepare for the 2026/27 season, which will begin with a four-point deduction.

With that in mind, we’ll look at THREE managers who should be on their radar.

Ralph Hasenhuttl

The Southampton management will be seeking to reestablish trust with the fans, and one way to do so could be to bring in someone with a connection to the club.

So, Ralph Hasenhuttl makes sense. The Austrian spent nearly four years at St. Mary’s Stadium, beginning in 2018, during Southampton’s far more successful Premier League season.

While there were some horrible moments and embarrassing defeats, Hasenhuttl did an excellent job overall, and he is a recognized person in the game who can offer stability to the team.

With Hasenhuttl being out of job after leaving Wolfsburg last year, he may see this as a good opportunity to aid a club close to his heart at a difficult time for Southampton.

Scott Parker

Clearly, some big decisions will be made regarding the playing team in the coming months, and some high-profile departures are unavoidable.

However, Southampton will still have a good squad, and the parachute payments guarantee they will be among the league’s biggest spenders.

Obviously, promotion will be the goal, and Parker is a manager who has shown himself at this level over the years, having led Fulham, Bournemouth, and Burnley to the Premier League.

So that will appeal to Southampton, and with Parker available after leaving Turf Moor following their relegation, he may jump at the chance to return to the game with a team like Saints, who have the potential to return to the Premier League.

Adam Lallana

There is no doubt that this would be a risk, given that Lallana is currently in charge of the U21s, but the Saints took that chance with Eckert, and it paid off magnificently.

Lallana has a strong connection to the club from his playing days, having progressed through the ranks and played a crucial role in the team’s progression through the leagues.

However, this would not be a purely emotional appointment. Lallana is a highly regarded coach in the game, and he will eventually advance to the position of head coach. There’s no disputing that some supporters would be against it given his lack of expertise, but Eckert exemplifies the importance of giving individuals a chance.

This summer may have come sooner than intended, but at 38, Lallana has seen a lot of the game and will command the respect of his teammates. Crucially, he has strong ideas that could help Southampton become a force next season.