LEEDS United boss Daniel Farke has sent his backing to Saints manager Russell Martin ahead of their meeting on Saturday.
Southampton have lost their last four games after earning 10 points from their first four games, leading to the German being bullish in his praise for the 37 year old.
Fellow relegated Premier League side Leeds are currently unbeaten in six Championship fixtures and currently sit just inside the play-off places.
Speaking on Thursday ahead of Saturday's early kick off, two-time Championship winning manager Farke said: “He is a really good coach, he has a great future in the game.
"He has done excellently at his former clubs. When you face him you know that you will always play against a strong opponent and a well-structured team.
"You are more concentrated on the task because it will be complicated to play against his side."
Farke coached Martin for a brief spell in 2017 when he was in charge at Norwich City before the former defender went on loan to Rangers.
The Saints boss made seven appearances during that time and Farke was aware that Martin had a promising managerial career ahead of him.
He continued: “On a personal level, it is always great. He was a great player and a great human being.
"He was a great character, we worked together for a few months but you could sense that he had all that is necessary to be a top-class coach.
"This is what he is showing at the moment. Even at this stage, I was 100 per cent sure that he would work at a top level.
“I am looking forward to seeing him because he is a great character and a great guy. We are also aware that we are facing a well-coached team and for that we are respectful."
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