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Who do we want next as Saints manager?

Tommy

By Tommy
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Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

I think Rohl has got potential but I’m struggling to see a track record from him.

Perhaps it would have been better described as CV rather than track record then.

By this I’m referring to his time at Bayern, Germany WC squad, and the upturn in form at Sheff Weds. 

TheAlehouseBrawlers

TheAlehouseBrawlers

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Miltonaggro said:

And big Dave Merrington! Saints are historically a ginger sanctuary club. 

"6ft 2, eyes of blue, Jimmy Steele is after you, la-la-la............" OK not a manager but one of my favourite ginges (even if he did do that one fook up that cost us a semi-final in Europe)

  • Like 2
LGTL

LGTL

Posted
Posted

Will Still has left Lens.

It’s going to be him, isn’t it. FFS, probably our biggest appointment in decades and we’re going for a complete unknown. 

  • Like 2
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SambaMaverick

SambaMaverick

Posted
Posted (edited)

Can't pass judgement on Still as I don't make it a habit to watch French farmer football...

But you'd hope the powers that be have because it's looking like another hipster pick from where I sit

Edited by SambaMaverick
  • Like 3
CSA96

CSA96

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, sockeye said:

Still is returning to England because his partner Emma Saunders' condition is worsening, supposedly. Thyroid cancer.

I suppose he'll have a job here to go to though.

Jesus, saw she’d had encephalitis too. Awful and understandable he’d want to come back here from France after finishing up with Lens 

Dusic

Dusic

Posted
Posted (edited)

I don't think her health is worsening (she said a couple of days ago she was doing well, was at the Lens game today), more just that understandably being in a different country during a tough year must have been very difficult...

He also said he hasnt agreed anything with a club, but that there has been interest. 

Clearly from us, but also a few 'big' Championship jobs available: Leicester, WBA, Norwich

Edited by Dusic
Lard

Lard

Posted
Posted

I’ll admit I was quietly optimistic and slightly impressed by his recent appearance on Monday night football. 

 

bangkoksaint

bangkoksaint

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Lard said:

I’ll admit I was quietly optimistic and slightly impressed by his recent appearance on Monday night football. 

 

Absolutely. The fact that he’ll adapt to the opposition and what’s going on in the game is quite refreshing. You don’t have to be a football manager to know that doing plan ‘A’ and then reverting back to plan ‘A’ if things aren’t going well doesn’t work. He can also relate to the modern player, speaks well and is clearly driven and focused. Yes it may be a little left field but he excites me more than RM, NJ, RS, IJ or SR/AL.

  • Like 1
AlexLaw76

AlexLaw76

Posted
Posted

Fans seem to be easily pleased. A decent showing on MNF and they are sold.

Gary O’Neill came across brilliantly not to long ago on MNF, yet he is not so popular. Martin was pretty convincing too.

 

  • Like 1
Appy

Appy

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fans seem to be easily pleased. A decent showing on MNF and they are sold.

Gary O’Neill came across brilliantly not to long ago on MNF, yet he is not so popular. Martin was pretty convincing too.

 

You really don’t know why Gary O’Neil isn’t more popular?

  • Like 1
AlexLaw76

AlexLaw76

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Appy said:

You really don’t know why Gary O’Neil isn’t more popular?

Yes, but he came across brilliantly on MNF though

  • Like 1
ChristopheVAFC

ChristopheVAFC

Posted
Posted

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1586813/article/2025-05-18/rc-lens-will-still-annonce-son-depart

Quote

‘I need to go home’: Will Still announces his departure from RC Lens!

At a press conference a few minutes after Lens' 4-0 win over Monaco at Bollaert, the Sang et Or coach expressed his wish to leave Artois ‘for personal reasons’ and ‘to be closer to his wife’.

It was midnight. Will Still had just analysed his season, and recalled that he had taken 52 points, which was better than Franck Haise last season. And then, with the shadow of doubt hanging over him for several weeks, he was asked the question directly. "I won't be coaching RC Lens next season. It was the last of the season at Bollaert and it was also my last. I need to go home. I haven't signed anything anywhere, but I need to be closer to my wife.

‘It's a choice based on my needs’

 

With reddened eyes and several near tears, the Belgian coach thanked the Lens fans and all those who had supported him this season. He leaves Racing in eighth place and on the back of his biggest victory as coach of RC Lens (4-0). He left the pitch to the applause of the Bollaert-Delelis crowd, and the kop sang the same song after celebrating Facundo Medina.

 

"To be honest and fair with everyone, I had to take that decision. I know that it puts the staff, my two brothers and the club in difficulty. But it's a choice based on my needs, my life and my well-being.

 

His partner Emma Saunders, a journalist with Sky Sports, was admitted to hospital in March with infectious encephalitis and put into a coma. She was present at Bollaert on Saturday evening.

Signed for three seasons last summer, the Belgian-British coach has decided to return home to stay with his partner in England. "I've been in France for four years now and I've had some really intense times. There are a lot of reasons for this choice, but above all this one (editor's note: his wife's state of health). I should point out that I haven't signed anything anywhere yet. There is interest. There always has been.

  • Like 1
bangkoksaint

bangkoksaint

Posted
Posted
29 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fans seem to be easily pleased. A decent showing on MNF and they are sold.

Gary O’Neill came across brilliantly not to long ago on MNF, yet he is not so popular. Martin was pretty convincing too.

 

It’s not though. I don’t recall seeing GON but when RM came in and said that he was surprised at the intensity and athleticism of the PL that comment alone would ring massive alarm bells if I was a prospective employer. Nobody knows how anyone will pan out in a job, in whatever walk of life, however having the ability to communicate well and get your point across is incredibly important and I suspect that WS has that ability. I’m ambivalent between him and DR and probably wouldn’t mind either - or Steve Cooper.

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AlexLaw76

AlexLaw76

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

It’s not though. I don’t recall seeing GON but when RM came in and said that he was surprised at the intensity and athleticism of the PL that comment alone would ring massive alarm bells if I was a prospective employer. Nobody knows how anyone will pan out in a job, in whatever walk of life, however having the ability to communicate well and get your point across is incredibly important and I suspect that WS has that ability. I’m ambivalent between him and DR and probably wouldn’t mind either - or Steve Cooper.

Gary Neville is an excellent analyst on MNF.

CHDAJFU?

  • Haha 2
Wade Garrett

Wade Garrett

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Lard said:

I’ll admit I was quietly optimistic and slightly impressed by his recent appearance on Monday night football. 

 

Any coach can talk about how they would set up and sound impressive.  The skill is reacting during the game if the opposition try something different or if things aren’t working.  That’s what good managers do.  Ralph and Russell were continually out-thought by opposing managers and their in match tactical changes.

Still’s PowerPoint was really good if your opponent sets up and plays exactly how you think for 90 minutes.

This would be a typical SR appointment.  After 2 of the last 3 seasons being so poor, I probably won’t renew if they appoint Still.

  • Like 4
SuperSAINT

SuperSAINT

Posted
Posted

Not sure Will Still would be above Röhl on my wishlist, but he’s one of those people who I’d be intrigued to see how he did at different places - a bit like Rosenior.  

Oisin

Oisin

Posted
Posted (edited)
26 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Any coach can talk about how they would set up and sound impressive.  The skill is reacting during the game if the opposition try something different or if things aren’t working.  That’s what good managers do.  Ralph and Russell were continually out-thought by opposing managers and their in match tactical changes.

Still’s PowerPoint was really good if your opponent sets up and plays exactly how you think for 90 minutes.

This would be a typical SR appointment.  After 2 of the last 3 seasons being so poor, I probably won’t renew if they appoint Still.

Valid point, the tactical explaining - while excellent in the above example- is only one aspect. But so is adapting and reacting just one aspect.

You’ve also got coaching players to your method, coaching and developing young players and then creating a team ethic/man-management, working under extreme pressure and being adaptable in those moments … plus a couple of others I’ll have forgotten.

RM as an example built a strong team ethic and identity, and coached players into his method really well. But he was utterly unable to adapt and couldn’t handle pressure. I’d also argue he failed to improve/develop any players. His man/management was also marmite in the squad.

Ralph also suffered with that, but was an excellent coach and more adaptable. He also developed some players quite considerably (JWP and KWP being obvious examples)

Still looks good with the tactical analysis but as someone highlighted above so does Gary Neville and he’s failed as a manager.

What we have no idea is how many of those other boxes above he can tick. All we can do is try and get an insight on what we see in clips like that and by studying what he’s done elsewhere and then hope Spors can judge it all competently.

Im nervous about both Rohl and Still, more so Still if I’m honest. The clip is great, his brief cv is encouraging but let’s face it, he is a bit hipster and would be a risk. It could be a genius move or it could be another high risk failure and I don’t think SR can afford another of those. And as fans I don’t think we can stomach one either.

Tough call

 

Edited by Oisin
Better explanation
  • Like 4
DT

DT

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Any coach can talk about how they would set up and sound impressive.  The skill is reacting during the game if the opposition try something different or if things aren’t working.  That’s what good managers do.  Ralph and Russell were continually out-thought by opposing managers and their in match tactical changes.

Still’s PowerPoint was really good if your opponent sets up and plays exactly how you think for 90 minutes.

This would be a typical SR appointment.  After 2 of the last 3 seasons being so poor, I probably won’t renew if they appoint Still.

Agree. Please not Will Still. Wish the club would stop being ‘clever clever’ and appoint a proper manager with a decent record. Mid-table League 1 in France? Pah!

  • Like 2
bangkoksaint

bangkoksaint

Posted
Posted
35 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Any coach can talk about how they would set up and sound impressive.  The skill is reacting during the game if the opposition try something different or if things aren’t working.  That’s what good managers do.  Ralph and Russell were continually out-thought by opposing managers and their in match tactical changes.

Still’s PowerPoint was really good if your opponent sets up and plays exactly how you think for 90 minutes.

This would be a typical SR appointment.  After 2 of the last 3 seasons being so poor, I probably won’t renew if they appoint Still.

IIRC Wade from that presentation that is exactly what he says he does? I’m not saying he’s the answer and either of the other two maybe equally as good. Ultimately who knows and only time will tell

Nolan

Nolan

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1586813/article/2025-05-18/rc-lens-will-still-annonce-son-depart

 

His partner Emma Saunders, a journalist with Sky Sports, was admitted to hospital in March with infectious encephalitis and put into a coma. She was present at Bollaert on Saturday evening.

Signed for three seasons last summer, the Belgian-British coach has decided to return home to stay with his partner in England. "I've been in France for four years now and I've had some really intense times. There are a lot of reasons for this choice, but above all this one (editor's note: his wife's state of health). I should point out that I haven't signed anything anywhere yet. There is interest. There always has been.

"I haven't signed anything" is quite a different phrase from "I don't know what's going to happen next"

wild-saint

wild-saint

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fans seem to be easily pleased. A decent showing on MNF and they are sold.

Gary O’Neill came across brilliantly not to long ago on MNF, yet he is not so popular. Martin was pretty convincing too.

 

To be fair like them or not they are all decent managers and i would expect all of them to sound credible when talking about the game.

miserableoldgit

miserableoldgit

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, DT said:

Agree. Please not Will Still. Wish the club would stop being ‘clever clever’ and appoint Mid-table League 1 in France? Pah!

Two genuine questions. a) who do you consider to be " a proper manager with a decent record".........who would come to Saints? b) How many current Prem managers had you honestly heard of before they got their jobs?

Fabrice29

Fabrice29

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Fans seem to be easily pleased. A decent showing on MNF and they are sold.

Gary O’Neill came across brilliantly not to long ago on MNF, yet he is not so popular. Martin was pretty convincing too.

 

Totally agree with this. I’ve no issues with Still and think he’s clearly done good work but a polished, rehearsed and lapped up presentation on MNF is easy work. Should be more of it from managers and then we’d be able to compare it to something but people are just impressed with it because it’s rare not necessarily quality detail. 

There is some people in France who think he’s a bit cringe, I’d be more intrigued to hear from them. 

  • Like 1
Fabrice29

Fabrice29

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

Told you it was STILL happening Bois 🤣

I’d probably have a quick edit of what you were saying Monday and Tuesday before you brag about being ITK if I were you.

ErwinK1961

ErwinK1961

Posted
Posted (edited)

I would prefer Rohl over Still, but that’s just purely based on a gut feeling. The fact Still is a free agent though will no doubt put him in box seat.

I think Still deserves a bit more credit than he’s getting for his career so far though.

Edited by ErwinK1961
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted

Pretty apprehensive if it's Still as reported. Has the potential to be a big flop for someone managing too players for this division with no previous league experience 

  • Like 1
Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Pretty apprehensive if it's Still as reported. Has the potential to be a big flop for someone managing too players for this division with no previous league experience 

Why does he need experience of the Championship? The league is a label for a game, it doesn't impact what is on the pitch.

  • Like 2
beatlesaint

beatlesaint

Posted
Posted (edited)
20 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

At least he's a reliable source by the look of it rather than the usual kite flyer.

I assume as per Spors statement this guy is more Klopp than Pep ?

 

Edited by beatlesaint
Gloucester Saint

Gloucester Saint

Posted
Posted (edited)

Pinch of salt with the source but looks to be Still https://sports.yahoo.com/article/still-advanced-talks-become-next-084551837.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACRJM_iadAB1PiBSVNqM6ezWqBIQd3k8UiHrYGOqz1ZWsff9bf0AJTtH-swoxDyuXqlHwCwnaIssescrUrAgAoLwin83qbttPCanhx3skMpBBr3-HqrzznVWV91uAuqChnmtGl18veAVsizyY0VzmvMNEwM0e5Z-oShcRCYNoOsd

Independent just ran the same story 

Edited by Gloucester Saint
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Why does he need experience of the Championship? The league is a label for a game, it doesn't impact what is on the pitch.

Because previous experience of the league you are in is a good indicator of success. He doesn't have to have it but given the linked candidates it's something I'd prefer. 

  • Like 1
Holmes_and_Watson

Holmes_and_Watson

Posted
Posted
24 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

A Saints manager who is a fan of Football Manager and an assistant Sporting Director who used to work at Sports Interactive. 

And RDF Tactics as one of the video scouts.

  • Like 1
Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
Just now, hypochondriac said:

Because previous experience of the league you are in is a good indicator of success. He doesn't have to have it but given the linked candidates it's something I'd prefer. 

He just beat Monaco 4-0 yesterday. That is a tougher game than anything he'll face in the Championship. 

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