Southampton have approached Paul Hart over their vacant managerial position, Sky Sports sources understand.
Former Portsmouth boss on St Mary's shortlist
Southampton have approached former Portsmouth boss Paul Hart over the vacant managerial position at St Mary's,
Sky Sports sources understand.
Saints chairman Nicola Cortese surprisingly sacked Alan Pardew on Monday just two days after a 4-0 victory over Bristol Rovers.
Dean Wilkins has been placed in caretaker charge for Tuesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy meeting with Swindon, but the search is on for a permanent appointment.
Sky Sports News understands that Hart has been contacted by the League One club, who have also been linked with former player Alan Shearer, Gianfranco Zola, Paul Tisdale and Eddie Howe.
Any appointment of Hart could prove controversial on the South Coast after Hart managed Southampton's fierce rivals Portsmouth in 2009.
The 57-year-old has since spent time in charge of Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.
Southampton want to earn promotion from League One and were the pre-season favourites to win the title.
Pardew therefore paid the price as the victory over Rovers marked a first success in the league in 2010/11.
