Southampton are hoping that their new first-team boss, Will Still, will be appointed before the weekend in time for the club’s last Premier League game against Arsenal.
It’s getting increasingly difficult to believe that the 32-year-old will not be the Saints’ new manager/head coach. Shortly after announcing that he would be leaving French club RC Lens early to return to the United Kingdom, St Mary’s jumped at the chance to sign him.
Talks quickly progressed, leaving other potential candidates behind, such as former Southampton assistant Danny Rohl, who is still looking for a new home.
Southampton and Lens will need to figure out a compensation package for Still’s employees, which include his two brothers, Edward and Nicholas.
The manager is leaving a contract with the Ligue 1 club with two years remaining in order to be closer to his partner, Sky Sports broadcaster Emma Saunders, who has recently suffered from health issues.
Southampton’s Arsenal hopes for Will Still appointment
Southampton would like to have the 32-year-old at St Mary’s for their final top-flight fixture before returning to the Championship, according to Sky Sports.
According to the site, the two parties have reached a verbal understanding.
According to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, an official announcement of Still as the new CEO is unlikely before the weekend, although the Anglo-Belgian is still expected to attend on Sunday.
Their relegation was announced just over six weeks ago, and it was quickly followed by the dismissal of their manager, Ivan Juric. Since then, Simon Rusk and Adam Lallana have served as interim managers of the first team.
Southampton were on the verge of becoming the worst team in Premier League history in terms of points achieved, but Rusk and Lallana have guided the Saints to a mammoth 12 points from 37 games, putting them just ahead of the 2007/08 Derby County team, who only managed 11 points.
| 2024/25 Premier League table (as of 21/05/25) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | P | GD | Points | |
| 18 | (R) Leicester City | 37 | -45 | 25 |
| 19 | (R) Ipswich Town | 37 | -44 | 22 |
| 20 | (R) Southampton | 37 | -59 | 12 |
Will Still could be the perfect package for Southampton
Southampton have experienced a bit of an identity issue this season. Their philosophy-heavy first head coach of the season, Russell Martin, who led them to promotion via the play-offs, was unable to flourish at the top level and refused to adjust his ideas.
Then Juric arrived, a more seasoned football manager with no prior management experience in this country.
Still has never done that, at least not in the men’s game, and according to French football expert Julien Laurens, he is fairly tenacious, but his style is not the same as Martin’s. It is less possession-heavy, with a focus on counter-pressing and quickly regaining possession.
Southampton will hope that they have finally nailed their managerial formula, getting a wonderful blend of youth, tactical brains and system with Still.
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