Southampton’s most successful manager of all time has backed current Saints boss Ronald Koeman to win the Manager of the Year award.
Lawrie McMenemy, 78, hailed the Dutchman for taking the south coast club from relegation candidates to challenging for Europe in his first season in charge.
Saints were widely tipped for the drop last summer when Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and manager Mauricio Pochettino left St Mary's Stadium.
Koeman had a threadbare squad when he replaced Tottenham-bound Pochettino, but the Saints boss has bought wisely and his team surpassed last year's points tally with three matches to go.
Southampton now have 60 points to their name and could finish as high as fifth, and in a Europa Leaguespot, if results go their way on the final weekend of the season.
Regardless of how they perform against Manchester City on Sunday, Saints will finish with their highest points total since the 1984-85 season under McMenemy.
"Yes, he should win [manager of the year]. He's got my vote," said the former boss, who guided Southampton to their 1976 FA Cup victory.
"There are a lot of others being mentioned like Jose Mourinho, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe, but Ronald has done a terrific job.
"Half the team walked out the door last year and something had to be done quickly. The best appointment they made was Ronald Koeman.
"He used all his connections and experience to get the right people in. He is a top man, the manager."
Lawrie McMenemy, 78, hailed the Dutchman for taking the south coast club from relegation candidates to challenging for Europe in his first season in charge.
Saints were widely tipped for the drop last summer when Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and manager Mauricio Pochettino left St Mary's Stadium.
Koeman had a threadbare squad when he replaced Tottenham-bound Pochettino, but the Saints boss has bought wisely and his team surpassed last year's points tally with three matches to go.
Southampton now have 60 points to their name and could finish as high as fifth, and in a Europa Leaguespot, if results go their way on the final weekend of the season.
Regardless of how they perform against Manchester City on Sunday, Saints will finish with their highest points total since the 1984-85 season under McMenemy.
"Yes, he should win [manager of the year]. He's got my vote," said the former boss, who guided Southampton to their 1976 FA Cup victory.
"There are a lot of others being mentioned like Jose Mourinho, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe, but Ronald has done a terrific job.
"Half the team walked out the door last year and something had to be done quickly. The best appointment they made was Ronald Koeman.
"He used all his connections and experience to get the right people in. He is a top man, the manager."
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