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Tom Coleman

The favourite, the old flame and the wildcard — the bosses linked with Swansea City and where we stand right now

There's still some way to go yet, but Swansea City will soon be on the hunt for a new manager.

Russell Martin remains poised to take over at newly-relegated Southampton, bringing an end to a two-year spell in charge in south Wales.

Negotiations over compensation and other formalities mean it's a move that's perhaps dragged on for a little longer than many would have liked, but with the Premier League season now over, Martin's appointment could be confirmed within the coming days.

READ MORE: Russell Martin to Southampton Live updates

Attention, for many, has already drifted towards who comes in to replace him in the Swans hot-seat, with several names already mentioned over the last few days.

Here's a quick rundown on where things stand with each of the names mentioned.

The bookies' favourite

A name who might still be unfamiliar for many.

Chris Davies remains the favoured option with the bookies, and having cut his teeth under former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers, he's an option who might well tick a lot of boxes.

The strength of any potential interest from the club isn't yet clear, nor has there been any indication that he himself would be keen on taking the reins in SA1.

Some may well see the Rodgers link as potentially significant. Davies has been a trusted lieutenant to the former Swans boss over the years, and one suspects his next move could well depend on what Rodgers decides to do next.

The American

It's our understanding Gregg Berhalter has been mentioned as a possible option by those inside the corridors of power at the Swansea.com Stadium, although there are already doubts over whether a move to south Wales will actually materialise.

The 49-year-old guided the United States to the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, but left under a cloud of controversy earlier this year. You can read more about his exit here.

Nevertheless, it seems he's been on the radar of a number of clubs in recent weeks. There was even a suggestion he was considered at Cardiff City, but interest from the Bluebirds appears to have cooled.

Links with Swansea have since emerged, although reports across the Atlantic have seemingly ruled out a move to Landore.

Washington Post reporter Steve Goff tweeted over the weekend: "Gregg Berhalter is not getting the Swansea City job, I’m told. He’ll end up somewhere else, tbd."

Despite the failed Bob Bradley experiment, it probably wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world to see the Swans move for an American boss, but noises on the other side of the Atlantic don't seem to think it will be Berhalter. Indeed, it's possible he may yet return to the US national team.

The old flame

A figure who has admirers at the Swans.

John Eustace was a strong contender to take the job shortly before the club opted for Steve Cooper in 2019, and was a whisker away from being named as the Welshman's successor before pulling out of the running due to personal reasons.

It's therefore not entirely surprising to see his name mentioned once again, particularly given his work at Birmingham City, where he staved off relegation on pitifully meagre resources.

Those exploits alone mean his stock will remain high with the Swansea boardroom, who are likely to be keeping a tight hold of the purse strings once next season, although clearly the landscape has shifted since those previous approaches.

For one, it's not entirely clear whether Eustace himself would even be interested this time around.

He currently has two years left on his current deal at St Andrew's, although the recent arrival of new ownership does potentially throw up a few question marks around his future.

At the moment though, it's understood he's currently settled in the second city, and is eager to hear more about new boss Tom Wagner's plan for the club going forward.

Providing the new owners are on the same page, Swansea might have to work a bit harder to tempt him this time around.

The controversial wildcard

The first name to be mentioned as a possible option, Nathan Jones has seemingly drifted away from the picture in recent days.

The former Southampton boss, and Cardiff City fan, was previously touted as a potential contender in the national press, although Swansea insiders have always been doubtful that he would be considered.

To put it bluntly, most Swans fans would likely greet that news with a sigh of relief. Jones would likely be a deeply unpopular appointment with the Jack Army, many of whom would clearly be unable to look past his Cardiff affiliations.

His over-the-top celebrations at the Swansea.com Stadium when in charge of Luton certainly didn't do him any favours.

It's not been categorically ruled out at this stage. Indeed, he is well known to the incoming Paul Watson, but the links have always felt like something of a non-starter.

READ MORE:

Russell Martin to Southampton Live updates as former Swansea City job contender back in running

Swansea City transfer news as club's recruitment criticised and Martin's Southampton move inches closer

Cardiff City and Swansea City to face Leicester City and Leeds United next season as Everton survive huge drama

Southampton bring in ex-Leeds United transfer guru amid interest in Swansea City's Russell Martin

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