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Report: Southampton eye Slavisa Jokanovic and Graham Potter

Slavisa Jokanovic, manager of FulhaFulham looks on before the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Bristol City at Craven Cottage on Octob...
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Southampton are reportedly targeting two managers as they eye up replacements for Mauricio Pellegrino.

Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Turf Moor on February 24, 2018 in Burnley, England.

According to The Mirror, Southampton are keen on Fulham’s Slavisa Jokanovic or Ostersund’s Graham Potter to replace Mauricio Pellegrino this summer.

The Saints moved to land Pellegrino from Alaves last summer, securing the Argentinian after impressing with the La Liga side as he replaced Claude Puel.

However, the former Liverpool defender has struggled in the Premier League so far, winning just five times in 29 games – only bottom club West Brom have lost fewer – to leave Southampton hovering above the relegation zone.

Slavisa Jokanovic, manager of FulhaFulham looks on before the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Bristol City at Craven Cottage on October 31, 2017 in London, England.

Now, The Mirror report that Southampton intend to replace Pellegrino this summer whether they go down or not, and have already started looking at replacements.

Two frontrunners emerge

It’s stated that two managers are leading the way for the Southampton job, with Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic believed to be one option for the Saints, if they can prise him away from Craven Cottage.

Graham Potter, head coach of Ostersunds FK claps the fans after UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in...

The Serbian – who won promotion to the Premier League with Watford in 2015 – now has Fulham challenging for promotion from the Championship, and Southampton may be keen to pounce if the Cottagers don’t go up.

The other candidate named is Graham Potter, the English manager who has guided Swedish side Ostersund from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the Europa League knockout stages in less than seven years.

Potter, 42, is bound to attract interest in England after his side gave Arsenal a scare last month, and whilst he would be a gamble given his limited managerial experience, his recent track record in Sweden is remarkable.

General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Southampton, England.