Mauricio Pochettino has not even left Saints and already the bookies are taking bets on who will succeed him at St Mary’s.

Two major firms are already running books on who will be the next permanent Saints boss, with Sunderland manager Gus Poyet installed as the early 5-1 favourite.

Poyet has had an acrimonious history with Saints thanks to the days when his Brighton side were competing for promotion along with then St Mary’s boss Nigel Adkins.

However, he has gained admirers for his work at the Seagulls and for keeping Sunderland in the top flight last season and is seen as bright young manager in the mould of Pochettino.

Former Saints defender Dan Petrescu is second favourite at 6-1. The ex-Chelsea man most recently managed Dynamo Moscow but is now looking for work after leaving the Russian club in April.

Neil Lennon is at 7-1 following his decision to leave Celtic after a trophy laden time at the club while former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is 7-1 along with former Chelsea manager Robert Di Matteo, the man Spurs sacked in Tim Sherwood and even Alan Pardew, who has appeared under threat at Newcastle.

Bournemouth’s successful young manager Eddie Howe would be a popular choice with many Saints fans despite a lack of top flight experience and is priced at 12-1.

Favourites: Gus Poyet 5-1, Dan Petrescu 6-1, Neil Lennon 6-1, Malky Mackay 7-1, Roberto Di Matteo 7-1, Tim Sherwood 7-1, Alan Pardew 7-1, Andre Villas-Boas 10-1, Paco Jemez 10-1, Eddie Howe 12-1, Murat Yakin 12-1, Michael Laudrup 16-1, Oscar Garcia 16-1, Rafa Benitez 16-1, Glenn Hoddle 25-1, Matt Le Tissier 33-1, Harry Redknapp 66-1, Nigel Pearson 66-1, Steve McLaren 66-1.