Southampton are looking to appoint their third manager in three years after sacking Claude Puel on Wednesday night.

Despite securing an eighth-place finish and reaching the final of the League Cup, Saints swung the axe on the Frenchman after just one season in charge at St Mary’s.

A disappointing Europa League campaign and fan dissatisfaction at the negative style of football – the side scored just 17 home league goals – mean that Les Reed is once again looking for a new man to try and take the south coast outfit back to Europe.

With the early favourite Thomas Tuchel already ruling himself out of contention, the likes of Frank de Boer, Mauricio Pellegrino, Laurent Blanc and Jaap Stam now sit near the top of the betting odds.

However, like when they appointed Mauricio Pochettino in 2014, Saints could easily spring a surprise appointment.

Here are three outside bets to be Puel’s successor at St Mary’s…

Julian Nagelsmann

In February 2016 at just 28 years of age, Nagelsmann was appointed as Hoffenheim’s manager when the club was seven points from safety.

However, a run of seven wins from their final 14 matches saw them survive, and the 29-year-old completed a dramatic turnaround last season as the Bundesliga outfit finished fourth – just two points behind Borussia Dortmund – in the standings.

While a move is unlikely considering he only signed a new deal until 2021 earlier this month, Southampton more than anyone know that contracts can be broken – especially for a young manager that looks set to have such a bright future.

Jose Luis Mendilibar

Following spells managing a number of Spanish clubs, Mendilibar was appointed by Eibar in June 2015.

He led the La Liga novices to a 13th-place finish in his first season in charge – with only seven sides beating their total of 49 goals – while he led them to 10th-place last term.

This time, only five clubs netted more than their 56 and the 56-year-old certainly looks to play an attractive brand of football – something Southampton and Les Reed are looking for after a disappointing campaign in front of goal.

Rene Weiler

The Swiss manager was appointed as Anderlecht’s new boss last summer after the club failed to bring in Roberto Martinez, but he certainly did well as he led the club to the Belgian First Division A title.

As well as this, he also took the Belgian giants to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they were unlucky to lose out to Manchester United.

Having helped young players such as Leander Dendoncker and Youri Tielemans – who has already joined Monaco this summer – enjoy hugely impressive seasons, Southampton may feel he can help develop their young stars too as it is an essential part of the role.

Who do you want, Saints fans? Let us know below.