'Harwood-Bellis influence to get Roy Keane in': 'Brutal' Southampton manager shock

Taylor Harwood-Bellis will need to use his “influence” to get Roy Keane to replace the sacked Russell Martin at Southampton, says Jeff Stelling.

Martin had been under pressure for several weeks, with speculation mounting that he was facing the sack.

The South Coast club currently sit bottom of the Premier League, and the end of the 39-year-old’s tenure came just hours after a damning 5-0 loss to Tottenham.

It’s a crucial moment for the Southampton hierarchy as they face a relegation battle in their return to the top flight, and one fan called into talkSPORT to make the surprising suggestion of Keane as a potential candidate.

This was quickly dismissed by Ally McCoist, while Stelling jokingly said it will take the Irishman’s future son-in-law to work behind the scenes to get it done: “I think you’re gonna have to get Taylor Harwood-Bellis to use his influence if you’re gonna get Roy Keane. I’ll be brutally honest”.

Southampton have an important appointment to make with Roy Keane unlikely to be considered

Football Insider opinion

Martin’s persistence in sticking to his own style of play, despite a leaky defence, drew heavy criticism. Fans turned on their coach, frequently booing, with an awkward fan interaction marking the end of his tenure.

The suggestion of Keane as manager is likely a humorous one, as he hasn’t managed in the Premier League since 2008. His last stint was with Sunderland, where he won just 15 of 53 matches.

The 53-year-old’s most recent managerial role was as assistant coach at Nottingham Forest in January 2019, but that lasted just six months.

Instead, the hierarchy at St Mary’s Stadium are already lining up a replacement. Football Insider exclusively revealed that they are focused on securing a quick appointment.

In other news, a 19-year-old Exeter defender has caught the eye of three Premier League clubs, including Southampton.

For more Southampton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone

The post 'Harwood-Bellis influence to get Roy Keane in': 'Brutal' Southampton manager shock appeared first on Football Insider.