Saints fans would be keen to see Ronald Koeman take over as the club’s new manager.

The 51-year-old is the leading contender to replace Mauricio Pochettino at St Mary’s and has already held talks with the club.

A poll on the Daily Echo website, which had attracted well over one thousand votes by last night, has now revealed that 92 per cent of supporters would like the Dutch legend to get the job.

As reported in yesterday’s Echo, Koeman is understood to have met with Saints officials on Monday to discuss replacing Pochettino, who quit the club last week and joined Tottenham.

The talks are believed to have been positive, with Koeman very much in the frame for the job.

He is not the only name being considered, though, with Saints still likely to speak with a small selection of other candidates before making a final decision on who they wish to go with.

No appointment looks likely this week, as the club make sure they conduct their due diligence properly and do not rush into anything.

A more realistic timescale would appear to be within the next ten days or so.

The Saints board has come in for some criticism in recent weeks, but the possibility of an appointment such as Koeman, coupled with their firm stance on the futures of Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, has helped settle the mood.

Koeman’s fellow countryman, Mark Wotte, who had a spell managing Saints in the 2008/09 season, has already described the former Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord coach as a “perfect” choice.

The former Barcelona player and Netherlands captain is coming off a fine three seasons in charge of Feyenoord, guiding the Rotterdam club to second, third and second in the Dutch Eredivisie.

With a reputation for promoting attacking football – his team were leading scorers in the top flight last season – and having successfully integrated a number of academy players into the first team at his most recent club, he would appear to tick many of the right boxes for Saints.