According to reports in The Sun, Southampton want Marco Silva to replace Mauricio Pellegrino just days after his surprise sacking by Watford.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Hornets relieved the 40-year-old of his duties following their 2-0 defeat against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, with Everton's previous pursuit of the 40-year-old earlier in the campaign and the breakdown of relationships within the club one of the main catalysts for the decision.

Watford had won just once in 11 Premier League games, while Southampton are currently on an even worse run with just one victory in their last 15 top flight matches, and they lie in the relegation places as a result.

The Sun says that leading figures in the St Mary's hierarchy are still hankering after the Portuguese boss having reportedly wanted him in the summer, and it may well happen if Saints slip up in their crucial clash at home to fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion next Wednesday.

How did Silva do this season?

He did well at the beginning of the campaign, with the Hornets finding themselves in fourth position after taking 15 points from their opening eight Premier League matches.

However, the form turned when Everton sacked Ronald Koeman and tried to bring Silva to Goodison Park, with Watford refusing to let him leave mid-season.

That obviously caused tension between the manager and the board and the manager and his players, and despite playing attractive football earlier in the campaign performances and results slipped from the end of November onwards.

Would he be a good appointment for Southampton?

He certainly could be, yes.

Silva showed earlier in the season that he can be tactically astute – such as when his side beat Saints 2-0 at St Mary's – and he seems to know when to make changes at the right time to help his team.

That said, his reaction to not being allowed to go to Everton just months after taking the Watford job would certainly be a worry for the south coast outfit, but they will also be well aware that the 40-year-old could lead them to survival this term, and that is all they will be concentrating on right now.

It is certainly a decision that the fans would get behind considering many wanted Silva to replace Claude Puel, added to the fact that many have also run out of patience with Pellegrino.

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