"It is disrespectful" - Pundit reacts to Southampton FC, Carlos Corberan news | OneFootball

The Saints are reportedly interested in the West Brom boss but Carlton Palmer believes it is disrespectful that these rumours are even happening.

Rumours continue over the prospect of West Brom manager Carlos Corberan replacing Southampton boss Russell Martin as pundit Carlton Palmer finds it disrespectful to the Saints boss.

According to the Sunday Mirror (22 September, page 72), the Saints admire Corberan's possession-based style of play, similar to that of Martin's.

The Premier League side are monitoring developments, with Leeds also reportedly interested after Daniel Farke's under par start to the season, as the Baggies boss has made a brilliant start this campaign.

Corberan has made an almost perfect start and West Brom will be hoping to retain the Spaniard in the hopes of a potential return to the Premier League after four seasons away.

There will be concerns around the Hawthorns with both Southampton and Leeds sniffing around, and Corberan is reported to have a £2 million release clause, which will add to Baggies fans' worries.

"It is disrespectful" - Pundit rubbishes claims over Saints pursuit of Corberan

Speaking exclusively with FLW, former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer has found the rumours ill-mannered and believes Corberan should stick out his job with the Baggies and Martin deserves a lot more time.

"First and foremost, I think it is a bit disrespectful that these kinds of comments are coming out. Carlos Corberan is doing fantastically well. Five wins, one draw and sat top of the Championship.

"It's come out that he's got a £2 million get-out clause, and it continues his good track record. He took Huddersfield to the play-off final in 2022, losing to Nottingham Forest.

"Last season he took West Brom to the play-offs, and now he's started fantastically well. I think it's unfair for Russell Martin, who's done a brilliant job in getting Southampton promoted. Whatever happens, he should have the season.

"The following season, if they go down, he should have the chance to bring them back up. It's very difficult when you get promoted. If you look at the sides that were promoted from the Championship, there isn't much in them. Only two points seperate them all.

"You've got to keep your patience, and you've got to keep your nerve, trust your manager. There is every chance that Southampton could stay up this season.

"It's obviously coming from the media and not the Saints' hierarchy, and there's no guarantee that Corberan would be able to replicate what he's doing in the Championship.

"You look at Maresca, who's doing well at Chelsea, but he's got an abundance of talent there, if you're a good coach, and you have great players - good things will come.

"Southampton need to be patient. If the club come out and make a statement defending Martin, then it settles everyone down.

"Obviously there will be concern at West Brom over Corberan, with the fact he's doing so well, and he's only got a £2 million get-out clause."

There's no doubt Corberan would flourish at Southampton, but Martin deserves the season

It can be perceived as a mental claim this early on in the season and despite Southampton picking up one point from their opening five games, and Corberan's Baggies sitting top of the tree, both managers should stay put.

Now, this isn't to say Corberan isn't at the level of the Premier League. His track record should suggest he deserves the chance, after guiding Huddersfield and West Brom to play-off campaigns.

His style of play would suit the Saints to a tee. His West Brom side sit seventh in the standings for the most average possession amassing 52.6%, according to FotMob.

This matches with the fact Southampton have the second most passes in the Premier League this season with 2,898, just behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but this should already prove Martin deserves this season.

Many didn't expect the Saints to bounce back to the Premier League in the way they did, and they have been unlucky in the top flight so far this season.

Their retention of the ball shows they are sussing out their style in the Premier League, and it's possible Martin's side could click this season.

A £2 million get-out clause might look tempting for the Saints to pounce on Corberan, but all parties concerned should stick with what they have for the time-being.