SOUTHAMPTON has been a conveyor belt for managers in the past few seasons.

They were hammered when they replaced Nigel Adkins for Mauricio Pochettino in January 2013 but the Argentinian justified the decision and excelled for 18 months before taking over at Tottenham.

Ronald Koeman was next in line and, again, did well during his two years in charge as he took them into Europe before jumping ship for Everton. After being sacked from Goodison Park, no doubt Koeman probably regrets it.

Frenchman Claude Puel had a strange year in charge last season, reaching and then unfortunately losing the League Cup final and then his reign rather petered out as they became dull and boring to watch.

Mauricio Pellegrino, 46, was in line for other jobs before getting Southampton but did not have the best CV, having started his coaching career alongside Rafa Benitez at Liverpool and then had mixed spells in charge of Valencia, Estudiantes, Independiente and Alaves.

Mauricio Pochettino became Saints boss in 2013 (
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Getty Images Europe)

Maybe the fact he was linked to Crystal Palace and also that he was another former Argentinian centre half and Pochettino was so successful that it tempted Southampton into taking what must be seen as something of a gamble.

This is an appointment that Southampton, who have made steady and impressive progression in the past four years, do not want to get wrong.

It stalled a little under Puel, below, the softly spoken Frenchman who could not find the right balance between attack and defence. It was a shock to no-one when he left after a year in charge.

Frenchman Claude Puel lasted just one year (
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Getty Images Europe)

Southampton are still struggling for goals at home under Pellegrino. They have managed just six goals in as many Premier League games at St Mary’s, all does not seem to be completely well among the players either.

Sofiane Boufal scored a late winner against West Brom last week, unhappy at being a periphery figure, the £16m forward made a point of going over to celebrate in front of Pellegrino. He was clearly making a point.

James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond made the England squad last season and now they regularly find themselves on the bench.

Oriol Romeu in action against Manchester United (
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Getty)

Midfielder Oriol Romeu, above, has been one of the most unsung players in the Premier League but there is a danger that he could begin to coast.

Is Pellegrino pushing Southampton’s players in training? Is he connecting with them on the training ground? Can he find the right blend to push Southampton forward again?

There seems to be genuine questions for a club not afraid to change managers but it only works with the right appointments. And Pellegrino must prove he is the right man.