Who is Eric Ramsay? Minnesota United FC manager linked to Southampton job | OneFootball

Credible reports are linking current Minnesota United manager Eric Ramsay to be Southampton's next manager, as the Saints stare down yet another relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship next season.

Here's what you need to know about the Loons gaffer.

Ramsay's background

After studying sport science at Loughborough University in Leicester, the Wales native Ramsay has spent the majority of his adult life working his way up the British coaching ranks, first at Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town (briefly serving as caretaker manager at the latter) moving on to Chelsea and then Manchester United.

He worked mostly with the U23s at Chelsea, but at Man U was a senior team assistant for managers Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag. He also spent time on the Wales national team coaching staff while at Old Trafford.

At Minnesota United, Ramsay was the first manager hired by incoming sporting director Khaled El-Amad, who was familiar with Ramsay from his time in a similar sporting role at Barnsley.

How Minnesota United play under Ramsay

What could make Ramsay particularly intriguing for the Saints is that Ramsay's tactics at MNUFC are the kind that might be a better fit for a club trying not only to regain promotion to the Premier League but also solidify their place back in the top flight.

The Loons play a somewhat narrow 5-3-2 predicated on getting the most out of a squad that is most dangerous when attacking -- or counterattacking -- vertically and with pace.

The two-striker setup isn't a sticking point, arising more from a need to get two of Minnesota's best players, Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi, on the field at the same time.

But what is consistent is trying to manage the game mostly without the ball. Through 10 matchdays of the 2025 league campaign, Ramsay's MNUFC has the lowest average possession figure in MLS at 37.9%. Their expected goal (xG) difference is +5.9, tied for the second-highest in the league with the Philadelphia Union. While they currently sit fourth in the 15-team Western Conference, if anything the Loons have slightly underachieved relative to their performances.

Is Ramsay interested?

Given his considerable experience in the English game, it sure seems likely Ramsay would consider a move back to Britain if the offer was the right one.

But after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last Sunday -- no shameful result considering the Whitecaps currently top the Supporters' Shield table -- he indicated Southampton's reported interest wasn't something he was aware of, suggesting that if the Saints are interested, they're still in the early stages of exploring their options.

Ramsay might also wish to finish out a promising season for the Loons after a disappointing defeat to the eventual MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy in last year's West semifinals.