TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Southampton have set their sights on a “fantastic young coach” currently plying his trade in France.
The Saints currently have Ivan Juric in the dugout, but he hasn’t managed to turn the south coast’s fortunes around.
Southampton currently sit bottom of the table on just nine points, 14 points from safety and all-but set for relegation.
Saints seem to already be looking ahead to next season and are looking for someone else to take the reins from Juric at the end of the campaign.
Southampton eyeing Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Chelsea owners BlueCo face a battle to keep hold of Liam Rosenior.
Rosenior succeeded Patrick Vieira as Strasbourg head coach last summer and he has done an outstanding job.
The Alsace club are currently seventh in Ligue 1 – just four points off Monaco in fourth.
TBR Football understands that a number of clubs around Europe have been alerted to Rosenior’s performance in France.
We understand BlueCo are delighted with Rosenior and would be loathed to lose him, but they also understand the interest emerging given the job he has done.
We can now reveal that Rosenior is on Southampton’s radar as they prepare to move on from Ivan Juric this summer – as he has a break clause in his contract which they will use.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl is another name they are considering but he has a release which TBR Football understands is around £5million and could be an issue.
What Liam Rosenior could bring to Southampton
Rosenior began his coaching career in 2022 as Derby County’s caretaker manager before taking the Hull City reins later that year.
The 40-year-old then parted company with the Tigers in May 2024 and joined Strasbourg two months later.
Rosenior replaced Patrick Vieira, who had left by mutual consent after finishing 13th in the Ligue 1 table in 2023/24.
Strasbourg are currently seventh in the table, just four points off a Champions League spot, thanks to Rosenior’s great work.
Breaking the Lines recently wrote: ‘Rosenior has created a team that is over achieving their xP (expected points) by 7.23 after 25 league games which is currently the highest overachievement in Ligue 1.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton |
28 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 33 |
| 16 |  West HamWest Ham |
28 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 32 | 48 | -16 | 33 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves |
28 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 38 | 57 | -19 | 23 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich |
28 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 26 | 58 | -32 | 17 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester |
28 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 25 | 62 | -37 | 17 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton |
28 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 20 | 68 | -48 | 9 |
‘This is by no means a coincidence, his side have taken to his possession dominant, high-pressing system like a duck to water.
‘This can only be attributed to Rosenior’s exceptional ability to work with young players as Strasbourg have by far the youngest squad in Ligue 1 at 21.8 years.
‘Rosenior is very versatile with the way in which he sets his team up on paper, varying from a; 3-4-2-1, 4-4-1-1 and 433.
‘These formations allow for great defensive coverage against other attacking outfits whilst being able to seemlessly transition into their in- possession 3-2-5 shape.
‘The wingbacks stay high and wide, really stretching the opposition which in turn allows the number 10’s to create a box midfield with the pivot.’
They concluded: ‘To summarise, Liam Rosenior is a fantastic young coach who fits the identity perfectly of Strasbourg and the direction in which the BlueCo group want to take the club.
‘A progressive coach too, taking inspiration and ideas from the very best managers at the top of the game – to help refine and shape his own ideas.’
