Wayne Rooney linked with Southampton job, Steven Gerrard emerges as candidate

Wayne Rooney would be interested in becoming Southampton next manager, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.

The Saints are looking to quickly appoint a new boss after Nathan Jones was shown the exit on Sunday.

Former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has also been considered by the Southampton board.

The Saints’ potential short-list of candidates is expected to keep increasing as they eye the perfect replacement.

The south coast club have already been linked with former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch.

They are looking for their third head coach of the campaign having slumped to the bottom of the league table.

Rooney is the current manager of Major League Soccer club DC United. The Manchester United legend succeeded Hernan Losada last July.

United finished bottom of the Eastern Conference at the end of the 2022 season. They won two and lost nine of their 14 games under Rooney.

The new MLS season starts on February 25, and Rooney was expected to be in charge of United when the action gets underway.

Rooney left Derby County last June after they were relegated to League One, having spent almost the entire season in administration.

He helped the Rams escape relegation in 2020-21 and has been linked with a couple of Premier League jobs.

Everton had him on their radar when they sacked Rafa Benitez but appointed Frank Lampard instead.

The Saints cannot afford to get their next managerial appointment wrong. They are just four points off safety and can still escape relegation.