Premier League strugglers Southampton have sacked Mark Hughes but could David Moyes replace him at St Mary’s?
This time last year, David Moyes was parachuted in to West Ham United to replace the ailing Slaven Bilic and promptly went on to save the club from relegation.
So with Southampton taking the decision to sack Mark Hughes with just one win in 14 Premier League games this season, Moyes’ availability means he is inevitably set to be linked with the now vacant managerial post at St Mary’s.
And, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT as the news of Hughes’ departure broke (3 November, 10am), Ray Parlour has suggested that Moyes would be the right man at the right time for Southampton having spoken to the 55-year-old on the radio station in late November.
“I think David Moyes would’ve been alright,” said the former Arsenal and Middlesbrough midfielder.
“He came on the show last week and he was very interested in trying to get back in (to management). His track record is unbelievable (when it comes to) keeping teams in the Premier League.”
The prospect of Moyes replacing Hughes is bound to divide Southampton fans. The experienced Scot made Everton one of the most competitive sides in the Premier League on a shoestring budget, while he deserves credit too for turning West Ham around last season.
But Moyes’ reputation has been severely tainted by that seven-month stint at Manchester United. And it must be remembered that his Sunderland side finished bottom of the table a year-and-a-half ago.
Fortunately for the anti-Moyes brigade, talkSPORT sources believe that Southampton are looking to make a long-term appointment rather than call upon a ‘firefighter’ like Moyes or Sam Allardyce.
Interestingly, however, Sky Sports believes that Moyes is keen to discuss the Southampton job while former Leicester City managers Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare are also interested.
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