While Southampton have mostly aimed to avoid relegation from the Premier League in the previous fifteen seasons, the Saints also enjoyed one of their most glorious era under the management of Ronald Koeman. The current Netherlands manager joined Southampton in 2014 and spent two seasons at the St. Mary’s Stadium. During that time he signed several world-class talents, such as Sadio Mane, Shane Long and Graziano Pelle, among other stars, to guide Southampton to the UEFA Europa League in back-to-back seasons.
Koeman has left his legacy at the club and Southampton will want to reach those levels again in the next few years. Currently, under Russell Martin’s management, Southampton are aiming to make a turnaround in their Premier League campaign to avoid getting relegated after a struggling start to the new season. Thus, a few wins in the upcoming matches are needed; otherwise, Southampton will again have to consider making a managerial change midway through the league campaign.
Saints Europa League hero reveals his Southampton return ambitions
While several managers such as Graham Potter, can help the Saints stay in the Premier League, Southampton should also consider signing a quality manager in the long-term as well. Moreover, one of Koeman’s former Europa League stars could be interested in returning to the St. Mary’s Stadium in a few years. The player is Dusan Tadic, who played four seasons at Southampton and was an integral part of their Europa League squad before joining Eredivisie side Ajax in a £10 million move in 2018.
Tadic found the back of the net 24 times and provided 32 assists for Southampton, and has enjoyed success at Ajax and his current team Fenerbahce as well. Playing as a creative playmaker alongside the front three of Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Shane Long, Tadic quickly became a fan favourite among the Southampton fans. Now, the 35-year-old left-winger spoke about his managerial ambitions while leaving the door open for a Saints return, saying,
“I can play at the highest level for a few more years, but I want to be a coach in the future. I played for Ajax, I play for Fenerbahce and I also played for Southampton. It’s a very special feeling to represent a club you play for as a coach. We’ll see what happens in the future.”
                                    – Dusan Tadic
Tadic fondly remembers his playing career at Southampton and would want to replicate the success achieved by former manager Ronald Koeman at the club. Tadic has established himself as one of Europe’s elite players in terms of game awareness, and thus, Southampton fans are excited about what the future holds for the former Saints star if he returns to Southampton in a managerial role.
