 First came a 3–1 home win over eventual double winners Manchester United, then came a 1–0 away win over relegated Bolton Wanderers.Merrington was dismissed a few days after the end of the season and replaced by former Liverpool and Rangers manager Graeme Souness.Southampton fared little better in 1996–97 despite the arrival of Souness, whose track record included two Scottish league titles with Rangers and an FA Cup victory with Liverpool.