Who do we want next as Saints manager?

[saint michael]

3 minutes ago, wild-saint said:

Why didn't Burnley or Sheffield United need to reset this season? 

I think cos they didn’t have a totally shit team with shit attitude and shit football philosophy 

[tdmickey3]

45 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Whilst I don't disagree, if Still starts to do badly 100% he will get dogs abuse for being young and ginger. 

From a few bell ends maybe

 

[Dusic]

1 hour ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Do wonder if the Will Still bits in the press at the weekend are to give one last hurry up to Rohl to accept or we move on.

TBH if he wants to hold out for a better offer then got to ask whether his heart will be in it.

Yes, I understand that senior officials at Southampton pleaded with Will Still to announce in his post match press conference that he is leaving Lens at the end of the season to move home. Still kindly agreed.

At the same time they told various national journalists to mention that Still was likely joining Southampton. They agreed.

The purpose? Not because its true, but rather to hurry up another guy who clearly isn't interested in the job anymore and has likely already told them that hence why they have moved for Still.

Fine to keep wondering but pretty sure Rohl to Saints is dead and has been for a while given his beggy interviews for a PL, Bundesliga job which clearly showed nothing had been agreed with us.

In fact - quite telling the different approaches and levels of respect that both have shown whilst announcing they are leaving their current clubs.

[SW11_Saint]

44 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I don't think we will go up but I have heard this a lot and can't stand it. Failing to win promotion more likely than not will mean that the following season will be more of a challenge. We will be forced to sell some more promising players, have less money and will be competing for promotion with more teams with parachute payments. Sure another season down might be a positive but I will never understand someone wanting it to happen. If we don't go up after two years then there's every chance that we stay down permanently. 

I mean obviously next season I’ll want to win as many games as possible and  it’s human nature that I’ll want us to go up. My point - as others have pointed out - if this year has taught us anything it’s that you have to be fully prepared for the step up, and we were anything but. I just don’t want to go through that again. Leeds stayed down for two years… and I bet they enjoyed their season a lot more than us! 
 

I take your point though - it can go the other way and you end up like Stoke or someone. Let’s just hope they get the managerial and other appointments right - and then start reshaping the squad. One step at a time…

 

 

 

[sockeye]

Bare in mind parachute payments are 45% in the second season compared to 55% in the first season. So whilst 10% difference is a significant amount of money, we won’t be in too much trouble in the second season as long as enough expensive players are off the books by then. Not like we go from minted to skint instantly.

[Nordic Saint]

Get Vasco Matos in now with Jose Fonte as his assistant so he can take over when a big club eventually poaches Matos. 

"Vasco Matos led Santa Clara to the best defensive record in the top ten European leagues, conceding only 19 goals in a season. This remarkable achievement, along with their promotion and current performance in the Primeira Liga, highlights Matos's ability to build a strong and organized backline."

[santolijador]

14 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Get Vasco Matos in now with Jose Fonte as his assistant so he can take over when a big club eventually poaches Matos. 

"Vasco Matos led Santa Clara to the best defensive record in the top ten European leagues, conceding only 19 goals in a season. This remarkable achievement, along with their promotion and current performance in the Primeira Liga, highlights Matos's ability to build a strong and organized backline."

They just qualified for Europe for the first time in their history. He's not coming to Saints, even if we want him. 

[SaintLondon]

Not that it means much but Paddy Power suspended betting on next Southampton manager 

[skintsaint]

22 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Get Vasco Matos in now with Jose Fonte as his assistant so he can take over when a big club eventually poaches Matos. 

"Vasco Matos led Santa Clara to the best defensive record in the top ten European leagues, conceding only 19 goals in a season. This remarkable achievement, along with their promotion and current performance in the Primeira Liga, highlights Matos's ability to build a strong and organized backline."

The standard of that league isn't too great, bearing in mind Amorim's record since going to Utd is worse than Paul Jewells record at Derby.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

37 minutes ago, wild-saint said:

Why didn't Burnley or Sheffield United need to reset this season? 

Because they didn't have the disaster of the relegation season we have had

[aintforever]

31 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

I mean obviously next season I’ll want to win as many games as possible and  it’s human nature that I’ll want us to go up. My point - as others have pointed out - if this year has taught us anything it’s that you have to be fully prepared for the step up, and we were anything but.

All three that got promoted last year got spanked and sent down without a fight - unless we get really lucky with some signings or academy players we will never be promoted ready for the Prem. Leeds will probably find that out next season.

Edited May 19 by aintforever

[ErwinK1961]

38 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Yes, I understand that senior officials at Southampton pleaded with Will Still to announce in his post match press conference that he is leaving Lens at the end of the season to move home. Still kindly agreed.

At the same time they told various national journalists to mention that Still was likely joining Southampton. They agreed.

The purpose? Not because its true, but rather to hurry up another guy who clearly isn't interested in the job anymore and has likely already told them that hence why they have moved for Still.

Fine to keep wondering but pretty sure Rohl to Saints is dead and has been for a while given his beggy interviews for a PL, Bundesliga job which clearly showed nothing had been agreed with us.

In fact - quite telling the different approaches and levels of respect that both have shown whilst announcing they are leaving their current clubs.

1) Still leaving Lens is irrelevant- he is going regardless of our interest as wants to move back to UK for personal reasons.

2) only seen Miguel Delaney suggest we’ve formally offered him the job. The local journo’s (House and Blackmore) as far as I can tell have said he is an option and they want to appoint before end of the week

3) don’t think it’s a case Rohl isn’t interested, more that he wants to survey all his options and see what materialises. 

I do agree though, both shown vastly different respect levels to their existing clubs.

I suspect it will be Still, but clearly Rohl was number one choice and if there’s even a slight chance he will join, the club are going to push for it.

[ErwinK1961]

11 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

The standard of that league isn't too great, bearing in mind Amorim's record since going to Utd is worse than Paul Jewells record at Derby.

I’ve seen this but I don’t think thats correct. Amorim has 24 points from 26 games. Derby got 11 all season, including 24 winless games under Jewell, so the Maths don’t add up.

[skintsaint]

4 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

I’ve seen this but I don’t think thats correct. Amorim has 24 points from 26 games. Derby got 11 all season, including 24 winless games under Jewell, so the Maths don’t add up.

Apologies, its points per game...not total points I read. But taken from Talksport so I stand to be corrected again 😅

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, E_H_Saints said:

new ideas need to start from somewhere (Crystal Palace just won the FA cup on a gamble manager).

He took both his previous clubs into Europe, qualified for the champions league & won the Europa league in his last job. If he’s a “gamble manager” I think you’re in for a disappointment when we announce ours….

[Dusic]

4 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

1) Still leaving Lens is irrelevant- he is going regardless of our interest as wants to move back to UK for personal reasons.

2) only seen Miguel Delaney suggest we’ve formally offered him the job. The local journo’s (House and Blackmore) as far as I can tell have said he is an option and they want to appoint before end of the week

3) don’t think it’s a case Rohl isn’t interested, more that he wants to survey all his options and see what materialises. 

I do agree though, both shown vastly different respect levels to their existing clubs.

I suspect it will be Still, but clearly Rohl was number one choice and if there’s even a slight chance he will join, the club are going to push for it.

1. He is openly saying he is leaving because he knows what is happening and where he is going so its pretty relevant. Also suggests Lens know too as have been talking to other managers so its likely quite far advanced

2. Club telling Blackmore that Still is a "strong candidate" is about as much an indication they can give until everything is agreed.

3. All of Rohl's behaviour since the last day of the Championship season has pointed towards him being pretty uninterested in our job and clesrly thinking/knowing there is something better out there for him.

[SaintLondon]

 

 

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Because they didn't have the disaster of the relegation season we have had

That’s very obviously not true though, isn’t it.

 

[Dr. Kucho]

1 hour ago, skintsaint said:

Apologies, its points per game...not total points I read. But taken from Talksport so I stand to be corrected again 😅

It’s a shame that besides us Leicester and Ipswich have been so poor. If one of them had a decent season we could have seen Spurs or United get relegated. 

[West end Saints]

I do not care whether a new manager has championship experience, I don't think it has any impact on how they will do.

For the last 9 years the only winning manager who had managed in the championship before was Farke - and the first of the three times he won it was with no championship experience. It is just not a factor.

Only two others had managed in England.

I think either Still or Rohl are very good options, for the level we are. 

We are in a better place than last time we were relegated as we have a championship squad already this time!

I don't think an extra championship season prepares you better for premier league - it is investing when you get there.

The biggest thing for me is getting a manager sorted before we start deciding who leaves / comes in 

[revolution saint]

I don't really know that much about Will Still so watched a few videos last night.  First one is a long old watch and it's a couple of years old but gives you a bit of an idea about his experience: 

 

Have to say I wasn't that impressed.  Comes across as a nice enough bloke but doesn't appear to have that aura about him, commanding presence whatever you want to call it.  Maybe he just isn't good at these types of interviews (he pretty much admits as much).

He's clearly better when he's talking football though: 

And finally here's another overview and analysis of him and takes down the argument that he got where he is by playing football manager:

 

 

I'm not necessarily against his appointment and he sounds like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to football but not sure he's the type to instantly take charge of the dressing room.  Maybe that doesn't matter so much anymore, or maybe that side of things doesn't come across in the interviews.

Oh, and his missus graduated from University of Southampton so at least she'll know the area.

[leesaint88]

10 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

I don't really know that much about Will Still so watched a few videos last night.  First one is a long old watch and it's a couple of years old but gives you a bit of an idea about his experience: 

 

Have to say I wasn't that impressed.  Comes across as a nice enough bloke but doesn't appear to have that aura about him, commanding presence whatever you want to call it.  Maybe he just isn't good at these types of interviews (he pretty much admits as much).

He's clearly better when he's talking football though: 

And finally here's another overview and analysis of him and takes down the argument that he got where he is by playing football manager:

 

 

I'm not necessarily against his appointment and he sounds like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to football but not sure he's the type to instantly take charge of the dressing room.  Maybe that doesn't matter so much anymore, or maybe that side of things doesn't come across in the interviews.

Oh, and his missus graduated from University of Southampton so at least she'll know the area.

There is an interview out there where he talks about the issues in the training room, particularly in Belgium when they weren't getting paid and comes across well. It must of worked too, because they managed to win some games after that!  

[m4]

On 18/05/2025 at 08:13, 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.

There's a video of Still explaining tactics vs PSG, in that video he explains how he was dealing with things in games countering what PSG were trying to do. Explaining how PSG changed to a diamond in the middle and he explained it took him 5-10 minutes but once he realized, he made changes.

From what I've seen on him he is very adaptable and knows how to read the game as it's being played out. 

 

[gecko]

7 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

I'm not necessarily against his appointment and he sounds like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to football but not sure he's the type to instantly take charge of the dressing room.  Maybe that doesn't matter so much anymore, or maybe that side of things doesn't come across in the interviews.

I definitely see what you mean; he's not exactly the born leader you'd come to expect at that position.

I'm sure plenty of players, as with the fans, make their mind up immediately. However, I think it's possible for him to get them on side if he turns up at training and actually does that properly, i.e. not like Jones, who you could tell the players thought/knew he was a total simpleton from minute one of the training. Perhaps a Lallana type, recent retiree, as a coach is enough to help on-board him and keep the player mutterings to minimum to at least give this guy a good shot.

From a team perspective, he seems to me to be relatively adaptable, as shown through losing multiple important players and still just about getting results. Although he admits that you can only lose so many of those calibre players before your results start to show it.

If he wants to be here, and Spors wants him, then I'd be happy to see what he can do in the Champ.

[Fabrice29]

22 minutes ago, gecko said:

I definitely see what you mean; he's not exactly the born leader you'd come to expect at that position.

I'm sure plenty of players, as with the fans, make their mind up immediately. However, I think it's possible for him to get them on side if he turns up at training and actually does that properly, i.e. not like Jones, who you could tell the players thought/knew he was a total simpleton from minute one of the training. Perhaps a Lallana type, recent retiree, as a coach is enough to help on-board him and keep the player mutterings to minimum to at least give this guy a good shot.

From a team perspective, he seems to me to be relatively adaptable, as shown through losing multiple important players and still just about getting results. Although he admits that you can only lose so many of those calibre players before your results start to show it.

If he wants to be here, and Spors wants him, then I'd be happy to see what he can do in the Champ.

Think you’d do well to consistently be handed head coach jobs at the ages of 24 -32 if people around you don’t consider you to be a leader. 

[beatlesaint]

30 minutes ago, m4 said:

From what I've seen on him he is very adaptable and knows how to read the game as it's being played out. 

 

Well after Martin and Juric that’ll make a nice change.

 

[Toussaint]

27 minutes ago, m4 said:

There's a video of Still explaining tactics vs PSG, in that video he explains how he was dealing with things in games countering what PSG were trying to do. Explaining how PSG changed to a diamond in the middle and he explained it took him 5-10 minutes but once he realized, he made changes.

From what I've seen on him he is very adaptable and knows how to read the game as it's being played out. 

 

A manager who adapts in game  would be very refreshing in itself, after the last 5 buffoons who displayed a mixture of stubbornness and or incompetence in this critical area.

[macca155]

Seems a more sensible appointment than the previous 5, although the bar is very low.

Clearly knows a lot about football and seems adaptable. He reminds me of Potter when he first appeared on our radar.

Huge question mark as to whether he has the gravitas and resilience, for a Championship season. However everyone has to start somewhere.

Fans are going to have to be patient though. His approach will take time to bed in.

Edited May 19 by macca155

[Mr Nimbus]

Appreciate its a very small piece, but the MNF walkthrough till did, I found really refreshing. Especially the part where he was detailing to his players the most important thing was to get into the attacking areas. 

The urgency in our play has been missing since probably the lockdown period. Its what successful clubs of our size do very very well and it's a good template on how I think we should go about next season

[beatlesaint]

14 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Seems a more sensible appointment than the previous 5, although the bar is very low.

Clearly knows a lot about football and seems adaptable. He reminds me of Potter when he first appeared on our radar.

Huge question mark as to whether he has the gravitas and resilience, for a Championship season. However everyone has to start somewhere.

Fans are going to have to be patient though. His approach will take time to bed in.

I’m thinking going straight back up next year will be beyond them given the rebuilding job required.

Given how it worked out this season that may not be a bad thing but they can’t afford to hang around more than 2-3 years. It’s a crucial time for Southampton, they need to get this right.

[CSA96]

I understand the concerns about the amount of turnover/rebuilding but from a quick glance at Sheffield United's transfermarkt page, they brought in 17 players for this season and basically ripped it all up and started again and they haven't fared badly from it, clocking up 90pts

I think someone said it on an earlier page but the difference between the haves and have nots in the Championship, financially, is pretty stark and as a parachute club in Y1 after relegation we should be on strong footing to get after it and be right in the race. But I do accept that yes, perhaps it will be that we are less fortunate than Sheff Utd. However, they did have a takeover, a change of leadership and a huge, huge overhaul of their playing squad and it was still going on into the late moments of the window because of those holdups. So it is very possible

Edited May 19 by CSA96

[Saint NL]

https://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-set-to-appoint-new-head-scout-huge-step-up-for-36-year-old/

 

New head scout being reported. 

[Matthew Le God]

 

[ErwinK1961]

So after reviewing the thread, the new manager checklist needs to include;

- a Mourinho/Ferguson like aura to take instant control of the dressing room

- tactical flexibility to adapt and change based on opposition, including within games

- be able to organise a defence, but also be able to attack and score goals freely

- preferably not ginger

- not have his own family members as coaches, otherwise it’s classed as nepotism

- have strong ability, but minimal ambition so they are happy to come to the Championship and won’t want to leave 

- have experience of English football, preferably a previous decent playing career

- be over 40 as a minimum, but preferably 50

 

Good luck Spors

 

[Badger]

6 hours ago, saint michael said:

Hopefully not the keeper

Which one ? Pirece Charles (Shea's brother) is highly rated. BUT - you'd hope we'd have learnt about signing and putting young players in at the deep end too early.

[Badger]

32 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

https://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-set-to-appoint-new-head-scout-huge-step-up-for-36-year-old/

 

New head scout being reported. 

Does all have quite a 'Germanic' feel to it.

Have wait and see where this particular trail of breadcrumbs lead with the managers job.

[CSA96]

Echo saying that the hope is to have the new manager (Will Still top pick, at this stage) in the stands for the Arsenal game

[Badger]

2 hours ago, revolution saint said:

I don't really know that much about Will Still so watched a few videos last night.  First one is a long old watch and it's a couple of years old but gives you a bit of an idea about his experience: 

And finally here's another overview and analysis of him and takes down the argument that he got where he is by playing football manager

I'm not necessarily against his appointment and he sounds like he knows what he's talking about when it comes to football but not sure he's the type to instantly take charge of the dressing room.  Maybe that doesn't matter so much anymore, or maybe that side of things doesn't come across in the interviews.

Oh, and his missus graduated from University of Southampton so at least she'll know the area.

 

2 hours ago, m4 said:

There's a video of Still explaining tactics vs PSG, in that video he explains how he was dealing with things in games countering what PSG were trying to do. Explaining how PSG changed to a diamond in the middle and he explained it took him 5-10 minutes but once he realized, he made changes.

From what I've seen on him he is very adaptable and knows how to read the game as it's being played out. 

 

When you say seen of him, is this something you've seen, or just something he's told us in one of his interviews about himself ?

Before getting too excited about this character based on the youtube clips it's worth remembering that both Martin and Nathan Jones have featured in these tactical Masterclass videos telling us how they set teams up.

 

 

[Turkish]

14 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

So after reviewing the thread, the new manager checklist needs to include;

- a Mourinho/Ferguson like aura to take instant control of the dressing room

- tactical flexibility to adapt and change based on opposition, including within games

- be able to organise a defence, but also be able to attack and score goals freely

- preferably not ginger

- not have his own family members as coaches, otherwise it’s classed as nepotism

- have strong ability, but minimal ambition so they are happy to come to the Championship and won’t want to leave 

- have experience of English football, preferably a previous decent playing career

- be over 40 as a minimum, but preferably 50

 

Good luck Spors

 

that's about it, but they also need to do funny interviews. People disliked Puel from the start because his interviews were laugh a minute. 

[Badger]

15 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

So after reviewing the thread, the new manager checklist needs to include;

- a Mourinho/Ferguson like aura to take instant control of the dressing room

- tactical flexibility to adapt and change based on opposition, including within games

- be able to organise a defence, but also be able to attack and score goals freely

- preferably not ginger

- not have his own family members as coaches, otherwise it’s classed as nepotism

- have strong ability, but minimal ambition so they are happy to come to the Championship and won’t want to leave 

- have experience of English football, preferably a previous decent playing career

- be over 40 as a minimum, but preferably 50

 

Good luck Spors

 

Plus

 

:Preferably no beard, no skinny jeans, and to save Wade the trouble, I'll also add not to look as if he 'vapes like a cunt'.

Edited May 19 by Badger

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

that's about it, but they also need to do funny interviews. People disliked Puel from the start because his interviews were laugh a minute. 

But not to sound like a Cockney barrow boy, or wheeler-dealer...

[ErwinK1961]

7 minutes ago, Turkish said:

that's about it, but they also need to do funny interviews. People disliked Puel from the start because his interviews were laugh a minute. 

 

6 minutes ago, Badger said:

Plus

 

:Preferably no beard, no skinny jeans, and to save Wade the trouble, I'll also add not to look as if he 'vapes like a cunt'.

Good points, will add to the checklist - especially the bit about vaping. 

[bugenhagen]

24 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

So after reviewing the thread, the new manager checklist needs to include;

- a Mourinho/Ferguson like aura to take instant control of the dressing room

- tactical flexibility to adapt and change based on opposition, including within games

- be able to organise a defence, but also be able to attack and score goals freely

- preferably not ginger

- not have his own family members as coaches, otherwise it’s classed as nepotism

- have strong ability, but minimal ambition so they are happy to come to the Championship and won’t want to leave 

- have experience of English football, preferably a previous decent playing career

- be over 40 as a minimum, but preferably 50

 

Good luck Spors

 

See! It’s not that difficult 😉

[saint michael]

23 minutes ago, Badger said:

Which one ? Pirece Charles (Shea's brother) is highly rated. BUT - you'd hope we'd have learnt about signing and putting young players in at the deep end too early.

I watched Charles a few times and thought he looked very nervy and unsure. Not quite as bad as Bazuna but I wouldn’t take a chance in him 

[Pamplemousse]

 

Odd thing for a Brighton fan to post...

[Weston Super Saint]

2 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

 

Odd thing for a Brighton fan to post...

Also, he appears to be going to Luton...

[Badger]

2 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Also, he appears to be going to Luton...

What is Lorraine Chase up to these days ?

 

CSDAJFU ?

[hypochondriac]

43 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

So after reviewing the thread, the new manager checklist needs to include;

- a Mourinho/Ferguson like aura to take instant control of the dressing room

- tactical flexibility to adapt and change based on opposition, including within games

- be able to organise a defence, but also be able to attack and score goals freely

- preferably not ginger

- not have his own family members as coaches, otherwise it’s classed as nepotism

- have strong ability, but minimal ambition so they are happy to come to the Championship and won’t want to leave 

- have experience of English football, preferably a previous decent playing career

- be over 40 as a minimum, but preferably 50

 

Good luck Spors

 

The ginger point is most important. 

[Vancouver Saint]

Whoever we get as manager I just hope the focus and investment goes into what we put on the pitch.

Although the manager is a crucial appointment of course, how we manage the transformation of our current squad through culling, active selection and recruitment will be the most important factor.  Our past track record ion recruitment is woeful. Fernandes perhaps the only bright spark. 

We need a complete rebuild, starting with a playing captain who is at least close to the best player on the pitch if not the best. Even if (laugh out loud now) even if we managed to keep Fernandes to have something to build around, we need a new goalkeeper, two new centre-backs, and a proven striker (we have to assume Stewart won't be available for the majority of the season through injury).

What we do with Jack Stephens is the litmus test for me. He may be a great servant to the club, and he seems like a really nice guy, devoted to the club, but if he's still with us next season...and worse as captain...then I know we've have ducked out of making the easy (from a distance, difficult in person) decision and are doomed.

How we start the season is going to make a big difference this time. We're a team that has forgotten what it's like to win a game of football. Once that becomes embedded in the culture it's difficult to change - we have a chance at the beginning of next season to rediscover the feeling of winning and turn the ship around.

 It will need to come quickly, because this 'worst ever' season has drained the goodwill of even the hardiest of diehard lifetime fans like me.
 

[Maggie May]

Will Still - what a coup. How can anyone dismiss his credentials as an up and coming manager? His record in France for such a young, inexperienced coach is second to none. Future Nagelsmann IMO.