Southampton have reportedly identified West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan as a potential successor to Russell Martin.
The Saints decided to part ways with the Scotsman following a sobering five-goal defeat at the hands of a ruthless Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night.
Winning just one of their 16 top-flight contests so far, Southampton are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League standings, nine points behind Leicester City in the relative safety of 17th.
After back-to-back wins over Stoke City and Everton, the South-coast club have endured a six-game winless streak which ultimately signalled the end for Martin.
Southampton face a daunting task at St Mary's on Wednesday night, when Arne Slot's Liverpool will pay a visit in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
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Southampton 'identify top contender' for manager role
According to Football Insider, Southampton are ramping up their efforts to locate and secure a new permanent manager following the dismissal of Martin.
The report claims that the Saints are interested in sealing the services of Corberan, who is currently plying his trade at West Brom in the Championship.
It is understood that the Spaniard has emerged as a top contender for the vacant role on the South coast, where the Saints are fighting hard for safety.
Battling away in the trenches of the second tier, Corberan supposedly wants to leave The Hawthorns and take up a serious challenge with the Premier League strugglers.
Signing a new deal at the West Midlands outfit in February 2023, the 41-year-old is contracted to West Brom until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
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Is Corberan the right man for Southampton?
Apart from a bizarre one-month spell at Olympiacos in 2022, Corberan has enjoyed plenty of success in management so far, especially in England.
The forward-thinking Spaniard guided a industrious Huddersfield Town side to the Championship playoffs during the 2021-22 term, relying on a solid defensive base.
Looking to push on and eventually into the Premier League, Corberan left the Yorkshire club to join West Brom, who have consistently competed for promotion under the 41-year-old's guidance.