Southampton are reportedly preparing to appoint Swansea head coach Russell Martin to lead their Championship promotion bid next season - days after they were linked with Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray. But the Saints are thought to be hiring Mowbray's younger brother Darren as their head of recruitment.
Darren Mowbray is currently head of recruitment at Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, having joined the Dons in 2021. The Saints are making major changes this summer as they gear up for life in the second tier.
Their relegation was confirmed with two games to spare last weekend, following a 2-0 home defeat against Fulham. Ruben Selles was put in charge of Southampton on an interim basis when previous head coach Nathan Jones was sacked in February, but the Spaniard will leave at the end of the season.
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The Saints were said to be keeping tabs on Tony Mowbray's situation at Sunderland given his achievements with the Black Cats this term and with his future on Wearside seemingly in doubt, although ChronicleLive understands that the 59-year-old is keen to stay on. And Southampton are believed to be closing in on Martin, with his decision not to fly to America on Thursday as planned to talk to the Swans' owners about a new contract an indication that he is on the move.
The Saints hope to be able to finalise a deal for Martin next week. Darren Mowbray would replace Joe Shields as head of recruitment at Southampton, with Shields having left to join Chelsea.
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