Tony Pulis says Southampton FC are 'run really, really well'

Pulis, 67, developed a strong reputation for battling relegation at clubs with small budgets over a managerial career nearly 30 years long.

His son, Anthony, was at Saints between 2008 and 2011 but never made a first-team appearance, though a new generation is now at Staplewood.

Luca, Tony's grandson, plays in the under-12s alongside Adam Lallana's son, and Pulis has credited the club for its organisation despite relegation. 

Pulis has called for Saints to appoint Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, but backs them to be among the favourites whoever is named. 

"Danny Rohl has done smashing at Sheffield Wednesday, I know they've dropped off as well, but he's done a smashing job," Pulis told OLBG.

Danny Rohl has made clear his ambitions to land a Bundesliga or Premier League job (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

"Obviously, he's worked at Southampton so he's got a connection with the football club. Southampton is, my little grandson's there, a fantastic football club.

"It's run really, really well and if he gets the job, and even without appointing anyone yet, they'll be one of the favourites next year in the Championship to go back up

However, Pulis is picking one fellow relegated side ahead of Saints to be even more competitive in the Championship next season. 

"I think out of the teams going down, Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich, I think Ipswich are most prepared squad-wise to compete in the Championship," he said. 

"Kieran McKenna is a young manager and he's had great success with two promotions. Now he's just got a relegation against his name but I think he'll be a better manager for it.

"Out of the three teams that have gone down at the moment, if you were going to say to me which teams you think would bounce back, I'd most probably say they've got the players to do that better at this present moment than Leicester and Southampton."