Roberto Mancini has emerged as one of the front runners to be named the new Southampton manager after leaving Galatasary on Wednesday.

The Italian only took charge of the Istanbul club last September and guided them to second in the Super Lig behind champions Fenerbache.

He also progressed from a difficult group in the Champions League and tasted success in the Turkish cup, beating Eskisehirspor in the final last month, but departs by mutual consent with two years remaining on his contract.

Prior to his time in Turkey, Mancini spent three-and-a-half seasons in charge of Manchester City, where he had league and cup success, as he did in Italy with Inter Milan while he also won trophies during his time in charge of both Fiorentina and Lazio.

Mancini is priced at 4.0 (3/1) second favourite with Betfred to become Mauricio Pochettino’s successor at St Mary’s, with Ronald Koeman still leading the market at 2.75 (7/4) with Bet Victor.

The Dutchman, who left his position as Feyenord manager at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, has already held talks with the south coast club, and recently topped a poll of Saints fans naming who they would like to see take charge.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, who is also out of work after being dismissed by Monaco last month, is third favourite at 8.0 (7/1) with Sky Bet while Hull City boss Steve Bruce, former Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel and ex-Celtic manager Neil Lennon are all around the 19.0 (18/1) mark with various bookmakers.

Southampton finished in eighth place in the Premier League last season, though with their first team squad set to look rather different for the forthcoming campaign, the new manager will have a job on his hands to match that achievement.

Sky Bet offer odds of 2.2 (6/5) for them to finish in the top ten next season, while they can be backed at 10.0 (9/1) with Coral to be relegated.

They are generously priced at 34.0 (33/1) with Bet 365 to win the FA Cup, while Coral offer 26.0 (25/1) for them to emerge victorious in the League Cup.