6 hours ago 2

Q&A: When will Southampton appoint a new manager?

Throughout Wednesday, BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore will be answering your questions in a special Southampton Q&A.

In part one, he dives into the club's search for a new manager.

Billy: When can we expect the new manager to be appointed? Surely the sooner the better? It would make sense to have him at the training for the final couple of weeks of the season to assess the players and try to get ahead of the game. We always seem to be slow and behind the curve.

Adam: I agree with you in principle. I wanted them to get the new manager done as soon as possible, just to give everyone a lift. But having spoken to a few people recently, it seems the perceived wisdom is that if you appoint while a manager (interim or not) is doing the job, you create an unwanted distraction for them and weaken their position early. So I think we will be waiting until at least next week at the earliest, and possibly a lot longer.

If Danny Rohl is the number one choice, then reports linking him to lots of jobs are either a good smokescreen or Saints might need to keep looking!

Clive: Has Simon Rusk done enough to keep the manager's job for the next season and would he want it?

Adam: I think Simon has done well to enhance his reputation as a coach with what he has said and done. There is a lot to be said for setting up a poor team to be hard to play against and recognising its weaknesses, something his immediate predecessors refused to do.

But I do not think he should be considered for the permanent job purely because of his lack of experience in the Championship and his lack of managerial experience overall.

It is a very tough league, and Saints can't gamble on their next managerial appointment in my opinion. Would he want it? I think the fact that Simon gave up his role with the Under-21s tells us he felt it was time to put himself forward again in senior football, and I am sure he will want to stay in management if he can.