Next Southampton manager odds emerge as shock candidate linked with job after emergency meeting

A number of surprise contenders are among the favourites to replace Tonda Eckert as Southampton manager.

Eckert accepted responsibility for the spygate scandal which has resulted in Southampton being expelled from the Championship play-offs by the EFL.

The Saints admitted to spying on three clubs throughout the Championship season, including Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final between the two sides.

Southampton won that tie over two legs and were set to face Hull City in the final but, following their successful complaint, Middlesbrough have been reinstated and will take on Hull in Saturday's final instead.

It is anticipated that Saints manager Eckert will be sacked by the club, and he could also face a further FA sanction for bringing the game into disrepute.

He is said to have held an urgent meeting with the players at Southampton's training ground on Thursday morning at around 11am.

It was his first address to the squad since the club's punishment - which also included a four-point deduction for next season's Championship - was announced.

The Guardian report that Eckert had argued during the hearing that he did not know that spying was against EFL rules, and that the club showed footage from his session on Wednesday - prior to the 'spygate' saga erupting - to show that what they did had no influence on his tactics for the first leg of the semi-final.

According to the Daily Mail, Saints players are also examining the possibility of legal action against the club over a reported bonus pot per player of £250,000 if they earned promotion to the Premier League.

READ MORE: Southampton players could take action against own club over spygate scandal

Amid all the chaos, Southampton chiefs will need to quickly return their focus to on-pitch matters ahead of the new season - including, as seems likely, conclude the appointment of a new manager.

Southampton manager contenders named

According to BetVictor, Scott Parker is the 5/1 favourite to take charge at St. Mary's Stadium following his departure from Burnley.

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Parker has become something of a Championship promotion specialist as a manager, guiding Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley up to the Premier League.

John Mousinho is the surprise joint-second favourite - given that he manages Southampton's bitter rivals Portsmouth - at 6/1, alongside former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho is among the bookmakers' favourites to take over at Southampton (Image: Getty)

Rosenior has previously been linked with the vacant role at Watford since his Chelsea departure, but the Hornets - who have effectively turned Vicarage Road into a managerial merry-go round under the ownership of the Pozzo family - are said to be in talks with Lech Poznan boss Niels Frederiksen.

Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, is listed at 12/1 to make a return to football management, having been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in January.

Steven Gerrard is said to be keen on a return to English football (Image: Getty)

Next Southampton manager odds

(via BetVictor)

Scott Parker (Unattached) - 5/1

John Mousinho (Portsmouth) - 6/1

Liam Rosenior (Unattached) - 6/1

Sean Dyche (Unattached) - 8/1

Lee Carsley (England U21) - 10/1

Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff) - 10/1

Gary Rowett (Leicester) - 10/1

Tommy Elphick (Bournemouth, first-team coach) - 12/1

Ralph Hasenhuttl (Unattached) - 12/1

Steven Gerrard (Unattached) - 12/1

Slaven Bilic (Unattached) - 12/1