Reportedly under consideration, Peter Bosz can bring soul back to Southampton

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Premier League side Southampton are reportedly looking at former Ajax and Borussia Dortmund manager Bosz to replace Mark Hughes.

Mark Hughes is on the brink at Southampton.

According to The Mirror (26 November, page 60), the experienced Welshman is on the verge of the sack after The Saints lost 3-2 to fellow strugglers Fulham on Saturday – and it is reported that the South Coast side have already got a few replacements in mind.

But it is not Brendan Rodgers, the current Celtic boss who proved himself in the Premier League with Liverpool and Swansea City, that Southampton fans should be feeling positive about. In contrast to Rodgers, Peter Bosz is hardly a household name in England but that doesn’t mean he is not the man to bring success and soul back to St Mary’s.

The Mirror claims that Bosz is on Southampton’s radar – and on paper the Dutchman ticks a number of boxes from a team who have lost their identity since compatriot Ronald Koeman left in 2016.

Given that the 55-year-old received his footballing education in the home of Total Voetbal, it is little surprise that Bosz is more purist than pragmatist. During his time with Vitesse Arnhem and particularly with Ajax in a thrilling 2016/17 season, Bosz created the blueprint for an exciting, fast-paced, possession-based style.

And though these tactics backfired spectacularly during a short spell at Borussia Dortmund last season, where Bosz was sacked after just 24 matches, he would get Southampton fans off their seats again after the dour football espoused by Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino and Hughes himself.

But perhaps the biggest draw to Bosz is his penchant for promoting, and improving, young players. His Ajax team, with an average age of just 22, was the youngest side to ever play in a European final, losing 2-0 to Manchester United in the Europa League decider in 2017 with Kasper Dolberg, Andre Onana and a 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt (below) all starting.

Southampton fans have been left frustrated by the lack of opportunities afforded to young players in the last few years – but Bosz could be the man to unearth the new Gareth Bale or Adam Lallana.