Southampton have reportedly identified Paulo Sousa as a potential replacement for Mark Hughes.
The Welshman successfully kept the Saints in the Premier League last season, but the 55-year-old has now only won five of his 26 games in charge at St Mary's.
Southampton have also recorded just eight points from their opening 13 matches in the top flight during the current campaign, and it has led to speculation over Hughes's position.
According to The Times, Sousa has emerged as an option for the south coast outfit, with the Portuguese having impressed the club's owners while at Chinese club Tianjin Quanjin.
The report claims that Sousa was present at Southampton's 3-2 defeat to Fulham last weekend, and the former Swansea City, Leicester City and Fiorentina man is the club's preferred choice to replace Hughes should the team's form not improve in the upcoming games.
Southampton play Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their next two fixtures.
Darren Plant
