Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit makes big Southampton FC prediction if Danny Rohl is appointed | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing the outlook for Southampton in the Championship if they hire Danny Rohl.

Danny Rohl's time as Sheffield Wednesday manager looks to be coming to an end, and the German coach doesn't appear to be short of potential suitors.

Whilst no official confirmation of his next steps have emerged as of yet, all the signs are pointing towards the 36-year-old exiting Hillsborough this summer.

talkSPORT claimed on 8 May that the Owls boss has decided to leave Sheffield Wednesday, with his contract containing a release clause of around £5m.

"I know what I want to do, my picture is very clear," Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield via BBC Sport on 3 May. "But it's also part of the decision-making of the club. I will not forget this place. It doesn't matter what happens now."

RB Leipzig, Leicester City and Southampton have all been linked with the highly-rated Wednesday boss, whilst Saudi Arabia has also been touted as a potential destination for him.

"Very good" - Lee Hendrie makes Southampton promotion claim if Danny Rohl becomes Saints boss

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player, Lee Hendrie: 'If Southampton appoint Danny Rohl, do you view them as automatic promotion contenders next season or not?'

Hendrie said: "If Southampton bring in Danny Rohl, do I think they'll be automatic promotion contenders? I think they will be anyway, I really do.

"I think this is a team, and we've seen it quite frequently in teams that are coming back out of the Premier League, are usually the ones that are there or thereabouts to go back up.

"We've seen that this season, and teams that have been in the thick of things. So, I'd be very disappointed if Southampton weren't among the thick of things again.

"The fanbase, the football club is a very big football club, and Danny Rohl is a very good manager. So, I would be more than surprised if they weren't in the thick of a promotion push next season.

"I think that would be a really good appointment. I'm sure Sheffield Wednesday fans wouldn't be too happy with that though."

Danny Rohl has showcased numerous traits at Sheffield Wednesday that will tick Southampton boxes

There are few more promising young coaches in English football, and perhaps even beyond, at this moment in time than Rohl.

Still only 36, the Wednesday manager has showcased a highly impressive amount of maturity, wisdom and ingenuity for a coach as young and fresh as he is.

Southampton are a club who pride themselves on their ability to produce, recruit and develop young talent, and Rohl has certainly been successful in that regard during his time at Hillsborough.

Pierce Charles, James Beadle, Shea Charles, Djeidi Gassama, Anthony Musaba and Di'Shon Bernard are some of Rohl's biggest success stories in relation to his ability to help young talent flourish.

Saints will also expect to produce one of the Championship's most potent attacking units next term, and whilst his side did struggle in the defensive aspect of the game this past season, they were one of the better sides going forward.

The Owls registered 60 second tier goals in the 24/25 season, which was more than Sunderland (58), Bristol City (59), Blackburn (53), Millwall (47), West Brom (57) and Swansea City (51) respectively - all of whom finished above Wednesday in the table.

Wednesday's 1.3 goals per game average in the league - per FotMob - was only bettered by Leeds (2.1), Norwich (1.5), Burnley (1.5), Coventry (1.4), Middlesbrough (1.4) and Sheffield United (1.4) respectively too.

Rohl has also had to work through a host of off-the-field issues during his time as Owls boss, but has always rightly received significant praise for the job he's been able to do amid challenging circumstances.

Therefore, he will surely tick many of the boxes that Southampton are looking for in their new manager, and Rohl has shown enough during his time in charge of Sheffield Wednesday that should he be handed the keys to the Saints door, then he can be the man to march them back to the Premier League.