Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has reportedly decided against moving to South Coast rivals Southampton, the Mirror report.
The Saints had pencilled him in as their number one choice to succeed current boss Ronald Koeman, who is on the verge of signing a deal with Everton.
Southampton and Everton are currently locked in negotiations regarding compensation for the club after the Dutchman reported signed a three-year deal with the Merseyside club this week.
But Southampton's search to replace Koeman has taken a hit with Howe reportedly content with staying at Bournemouth, particularly since Russian owner Maxim Denim continues to provide substantial funds for him to compete in the Premier League.
The 38-year-old has control over all the important football decisions at Dean Court but he would have no such power if he were to join the Saints.
Even with Howe only signing a three-year extension to his contract last October, it will come as major blow to Southampton and especially to Saints executive director Les Reed, who is reportedly an admirer of Howe.
There had been a degree of expectation from the Southampton board that Koeman would sign a two-year extension to extinguish any doubts over his immediate future, especially after tying down some of their key players to new long-term contracts.
But his decision has rocked them and reports are suggesting that they are readying themselves for offers for the key players who have not signed new contracts- namely Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane.
This particular scenario would mirror former boss Mauricio Pochettino's exit in 2014 when the likes of Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, and Rickie Lambert left the club when the Argentinian joined Spurs.