New Manager Debate

[stknowle]

2 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Your last sentence I feel is the main reason for the outrage. We’ve been here before 

I get it Mboto, but surely the outrage should be reserved for if/when he is actually appointed. 

[macca155]

This is hopeless, there doesn't seem to be any solution. Tonda hasn't shown anything to suggest he'll be anything other than the next Seles, and yet the complete absence of any viable alternatives leaves him as prime candidate.

Absolute indictment of SRs management. So toxic now, decent managers are staying well clear.

[Block 5]

39 minutes ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

If we are struggling to attract a manager in a more conventional way I would propose putting a structure together with Romeu, Ward Prowse and Lallana. They all love our club, have enough status to generate respect within the dressing room and are intelligent. Romeu and Lallana have played under some very high brow coaching set ups.

[Katalinic]

1 minute ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Fans do get a say with this club. I'm guessing SR were seriously thinking about Gary O'Neill so they put the word out and the Northam gave them the answer. Now they're struggling so find a suitable replacement so they're telling us through their media channels thar they're probably going to play for time with Tonda and will see what us fans say about it at the next games. 

Personally, I think they've got themselves stuck in a corner because they didn't have a Plan A or B when they got rid of Will Still.

My recommendation. Ralph Hassenhutl gave Oriel Romeu his chance to re-establish himself after Mark Hughes didn't play him. Ralph and Oriel have a mutual respect for each other. These two could change our fortunes. If there is a way Ralph can be brought in as an advisor/mentor to Tonda (there's been plenty on management duos in football history),it would have my backing.

The spanner in the works of this cunning plan is that Ralph was disliked by most of the players and staff. His appointment certainly wouldn't bring people together.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

Just now, Katalinic said:

The spanner in the works of this cunning plan is that Ralph was disliked by most of the players and staff. His appointment certainly wouldn't bring people together.

Not too sure that most of the players disliked him. Certainly that paragon of virtue, Charlie Austin, didn't like him, but if you asked James Ward-Prowse, Che Adams, Kyle Walker-Peters, Danny Ings etc etc they would say the sun shines out of his backside. And as I said, Oriel got on well with him too.

[Mboto Gorge]

On 09/11/2025 at 19:08, Mboto Gorge said:

I don’t know who else has been or is being interviewed. The only other piece of knowledge I have at this point is that Spors personal preference is to appoint Tonda , but that’s not the preference of others involved in making the decision. If I get any more snippets I’ll let everyone know, hoping to hear more this week. 

 

On 09/11/2025 at 20:21, Farmer Saint said:

Thank God you've got these sort of contacts - I assume it must be Spors himself to know this?

Bullshit.

Still want to call this bullshit fella? You seemed pretty quick to try to discredit it.

[Katalinic]

11 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Not too sure that most of the players disliked him. Certainly that paragon of virtue, Charlie Austin, didn't like him, but if you asked James Ward-Prowse, Che Adams, Kyle Walker-Peters, Danny Ings etc etc they would say the sun shines out of his backside. And as I said, Oriel got on well with him too.

Fair comment, all listed were very much in favour. If you were out of the fold then you may as well have been excommunicated. My point was more it was not a harmonious tenure, so bringing him back in wouldn't be the right solution now.

Edited 23 hours ago by Katalinic

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, Katalinic said:

The spanner in the works of this cunning plan is that Ralph was disliked by most of the players and staff. His appointment certainly wouldn't bring people together.

The only senior players who were here for the majority of Ralph's tenure (discounting those who signed in the summer before he was sacked) are, by my reckoning, Stephens and McCarthy.

And if reappointing him hastens their exit because they don't like him then I'm all in favour of that. 

[Farmer Saint]

1 hour ago, Dr Who? said:

Well we don’t bloody know who has interviewed, but it it down to the club to find the right replacement. This will be someone who has experience in the Championship. We (are) were one of if not the favourites to go up this season, we have parachute payments and have the opportunity to make this work, and still do, but wastes another 3 games with the current set up, and then having to start looking for a new manager, and it is looking more likely we will be writing this season off! If they believe him him (I do not) them hire him full time first team manager now! If we get to next season we will have one shot of parachute left, and then we are in the same boat as all the other ex prem teams and it will get harder and harder! 

And what if they haven't found the right replacement yet?

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Farmer Saint said:

And what if they haven't found the right replacement yet?

Then they shouldn't have removed Will Still in the first place.

[Wade Garrett]

20 minutes ago, macca155 said:

This is hopeless, there doesn't seem to be any solution. Tonda hasn't shown anything to suggest he'll be anything other than the next Seles, and yet the complete absence of any viable alternatives leaves him as prime candidate.

Absolute indictment of SRs management. So toxic now, decent managers are staying well clear.

There are plenty of viable alternatives.

Solskjaer has just been on a podcast virtually whoring himself for the job.  There are plenty of others as well.

[skintsaint]

Probably waiting for Minnesota to get knocked out the US playoff thingy so we can get Ramsey.

Loves playing 3 centre backs

Edited 23 hours ago by skintsaint

[Farmer Saint]

9 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

 

Still want to call this bullshit fella? You seemed pretty quick to try to discredit it.

A post that says the incumbent manager may be kept on, or may not be kept on? Inciteful!

Who's our other options then?

[Farmer Saint]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Then they shouldn't have removed Will Still in the first place.

Really? Did you see us under Still? Tonda seems to be an upgrade on Still, at least.

[Mboto Gorge]

1 minute ago, Farmer Saint said:

A post that says the incumbent manager may be kept on, or may not be kept on? Inciteful!

Who's our other options then?

I also said immediately after GON had been interviewed on Friday that he’d ruled himself out of the job even before Saturday as he was aware of the likely backlash but wanted to see what the club felt about it. Both were nervous about it so they mutually agreed to go no further. 

Funny how you’re the only one reacting negatively to another fan passing on what they know due to their contacts. Bizarre behaviour like a child who doesn’t want anyone else knowing more than him. I don’t know who our other options are, neither does anyone else with inside contacts. Funny that, isn’t it? Because the club has kept that all Very tightly behind closed doors. The GON link was leaked because he personally told some media reporters he’d been interviewed. The club have kept the rest of their dealings strictly private.  

[Sheaf Saint]

6 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

Really? Did you see us under Still? Tonda seems to be an upgrade on Still, at least.

And did you see us under Tonda?

Genuine question - what did you see in the performances of those two games to make you think he's a better manager? Because from what I saw we were every bit as bad as we were at any point under Still.

Edited 23 hours ago by Sheaf Saint

[Saint Troy]

Assuming it is TE… I understand the flaws but there’s been a little more quick attacking intent the last couple of games?? Am I clutching at straws?

[Lighthouse]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Then they shouldn't have removed Will Still in the first place.

It’s a lot harder to interview prospective replacements if the incumbent manager is still in place. As soon as the first hint gets out that’s what we’re doing, Still’s position basically becomes untenable and he’d have to go anyway. Besides, after two points in five games, I’m not sure what you think was worth hanging on to.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

3 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

Really? Did you see us under Still? Tonda seems to be an upgrade on Still, at least.

Got the impression that Fellows was getting more forward in both the QPR and Wednesday games which is where we need him. Azaz played more forward and his best game in a Saints shirt against Wednesday. 

Maybe Tonda is an upgrade on Still, but Will Still set a very low bar and I got the impression Will would be good with football manager and theorising a game but was too inexperienced whereas Tonda.....ah, too inexperienced!

[Farmer Saint]

1 minute ago, Mboto Gorge said:

I also said immediately after GON had been interviewed on Friday that he’d ruled himself out of the job even before Saturday as he was aware of the likely backlash but wanted to see what the club felt about it. Both were nervous about it so they mutually agreed to go no further. 

Funny how you’re the only one reacting negatively to another fan passing on what they know due to their contacts. Bizarre behaviour like a child who doesn’t want anyone else knowing more than him. I don’t know who our other options are, neither does anyone else with inside contacts. Funny that, isn’t it? Because the club has kept that all Very tightly behind closed doors. The GON link was leaked because he personally told some media reporters he’d been interviewed. The club have kept the rest of their dealings strictly private.  

Mate, it's fine, you can only name what's in the media.

[Mboto Gorge]

Just now, Sheaf Saint said:

And did you see us under Tonda?

Genuine question - what did you see in the performances of those two games to make you think he's a better manager? Because from what I saw we were every bit as bad as we were at ant point under Still.

I wouldn’t bother trying to educate pork . He’d take a manager beating Morecambe 2-1 over a manager losing 2-1 to Liverpool I expect. 

[Farmer Saint]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

And did you see us under Tonda?

Genuine question - what did you see in the performances of those two games to make you think he's a better manager? Because from what I saw we were every bit as bad as we were at any point under Still.

6 points.

[Sheaf Saint]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

6 points.

I said in the performances.

[Farmer Saint]

1 minute ago, Mboto Gorge said:

I wouldn’t bother trying to educate pork . He’d take a manager beating Morecambe 2-1 over a manager losing 2-1 to Liverpool I expect. 

All because I'm calling you out for bullshitting. Bless.

[Farmer Saint]

Just now, Sheaf Saint said:

I said in the performances.

5 goals.

[Mboto Gorge]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

All because I'm calling you out for bullshitting. Bless.

Tell me what’s bullshit about what I’ve said ? Calling me out? No wonder you’re one of the biggest Laughing stocks on this site. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

4 hours ago, bangkoksaint said:

That’ll be me done then for the season sadly. Not prepared to spend good time and money going to games. We know exactly where this is headed with the toxic group of players we have. Sorry TE but I just don’t think you’ll be strong enough or have the gravitas to deal with the bunch of losers you’re about to inherit. I think this will be the season to condemn us to a sustained time in the Championship. We had a chance of making the playoffs but that’s probably a pipe dream now

 

[Tommy Mulgrew]

What are we waiting for?  Let’s pretend that we are a mid-Championship side:

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Solskjaer confirmed that he would be open to managing in the Championship.

"I love living here as well, yeah. Of course, mid-Championship and up [he'd be willing to manage]. I'm a football man. It's about working with people. I love just trying to make the most, or make them, be the best of themselves

[Mboto Gorge]

1 minute ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

What are we waiting for?  Let’s pretend that we are a mid-Championship side:

 

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Solskjaer confirmed that he would be open to managing in the Championship.

"I love living here as well, yeah. Of course, mid-Championship and up [he'd be willing to manage]. I'm a football man. It's about working with people. I love just trying to make the most, or make them, be the best of themselves

Nah, tonda is the best we can hope for now. Just ask some of the geniuses here. It’s almost like SR are a cult and people are being brainwashed into agreeing that the decision they’re about to make is actually the best we can hope for. Baffling stuff

[Wade Garrett]

4 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

What are we waiting for?  Let’s pretend that we are a mid-Championship side:

 

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Solskjaer confirmed that he would be open to managing in the Championship.

"I love living here as well, yeah. Of course, mid-Championship and up [he'd be willing to manage]. I'm a football man. It's about working with people. I love just trying to make the most, or make them, be the best of themselves

All the usual suspects will be on here slagging Ole off now because our only option is a 32 year old who has never managed a first team and didn’t play professionally.

[Sheaf Saint]

13 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

5 goals.

Two were down to individual skill, one was a howler from the opposition keeper and another looked suspiciously offside.

So, again, what in the overall performances stood out for you as being better than what we could have done under Still?

[Willo of Whiteley]

I suggested Ole Gunner Solskjaer only a few days ago 👀

Back to Tonda Eckhart and Sport Republic:
If they are serious and they do appoint him, they need to come out with some kind of statement backing him to the full, that includes signings for key positions and a strong coaching structure. Without that he will lose support quickly from the fans.
I feel all they’ll get with TE is a “yes man”.
He’s only Sport Republic’s man as long as he is performing, as soon as it goes to shit they’ll bin him off and he’ll be another of many under SR. If they go for him it is a huge, huge risk.

I would fully expect SR to paint the whole “promoting from within” spin on his appointment if he is successful.

[tdmickey3]

4 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

Literally had a job at another EFL club a few years back. Laugh emoji.

He was an assistant, so you are not so clever are you

[Willo of Whiteley]

I have several questions for Spors and Sports Republic:

- What is it that they see in Tonda Eckhart that the fans aren’t aware of or don’t see?

- Do they plan on giving him sufficient backing?

- Will they give him a strong backroom team to support him and manage the players over-inflated egos?

- What is the thinking behind giving a man with no first team managerial experience his first shot at management in one of the toughest leagues in the world, when the fan base is divided, the fans and owners are distant, and the team are an absolute shambles?

- Have they taken into consideration that Saints aren’t all that far away from the play offs, a quarter of the way through the season with ninety-three points left to play for, why pick someone with no experience?

If any reputable journo could ask these questions that would be wonderful. (All TE dependant).

[Harry_SFC]

25 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

All the usual suspects will be on here slagging Ole off now because our only option is a 32 year old who has never managed a first team and didn’t play professionally.

Yep. Apparently there aren't any other managers in the whole world available who are better than a 32 year old under 21 manager. 

Edited 22 hours ago by Harry_SFC

[saintant]

40 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

It’s a lot harder to interview prospective replacements if the incumbent manager is still in place. As soon as the first hint gets out that’s what we’re doing, Still’s position basically becomes untenable and he’d have to go anyway. Besides, after two points in five games, I’m not sure what you think was worth hanging on to.

Liverpool have 3 points over the last 6 games so I guess Arne Slot will be available soon 🙂

[UpweySaint]

I think I have missed something today! Has something happened to convince everyone we are going with Tonda? Without going back more than a couple of pages it seems like the consensus is it’s a done deal …

[O_Lord_Marian]

45 minutes ago, Saint Troy said:

Assuming it is TE… I understand the flaws but there’s been a little more quick attacking intent the last couple of games?? Am I clutching at straws?

Clutching at thin air, sadly.

[madge]

3 hours ago, Farmer Saint said:

Sorry, what's the issue here? If he continues to win games surely he's a good option? Who do we know that's applied that we'd prefer to have in charge for the next game?

He’s won 2 games that we were pretty poor in and lucky to win..

[hypochondriac]

Who is to say that Spors' judgement of Tonda isn't the same as when signing Downs or giving Stephens a 3 year contract?

[Saint J 77]

I’d love to see us make a real push for someone like Brendan Rodgers. Is it really that unrealistic to hope for a manager with that level of experience and authority?

We could offer him a strong, short-term deal until the end of the season. If it doesn’t work out, then both parties simply move on. But at least we’d be giving ourselves a proven leader who commands respect something we badly need right now.

 

[Lighthouse]

24 minutes ago, saintant said:

Liverpool have 3 points over the last 6 games so I guess Arne Slot will be available soon 🙂

You’re comparing the man who won the PL at his first attempt with the man who steered one of the most expensive teams in Championship history to 20th.

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

You’re comparing the man who won the PL at his first attempt with the man who steered one of the most expensive teams in Championship history to 20th.

No, I'm comparing results. I said nothing whatsoever about the management credentials of either Still or Slot.

[Thripp87]

3 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Tonda has won 2 out of 2.

Yes it’s a gamble, but so is trusting Sports Republic to appoint someone currently not in the set up. We know they will balls that up and it will be another manager to pay off.

I am more than happy to see Tomda given a chance. Out of the names being listed he is no worse.

Carrick - achieved nothing at Boro. Rob Edward’s outperformed him in 3 months.

Martin - complete no hoper who is to blame for the mess we are in now.

O Neil - no chance to appoint him, a couple of bad results and toxicity would be through the roof.

Rogers - unrealistic.

Ok I will admit I only said that as I’ve got him piled on at 15/2. I don’t want him at all. 

The reality is he’s coming in, that’s plain to see and it’s so typical of Sport Republic, might as well win some money on their predictability. He’s Spors’ man so I can guarantee he is coming in. Romeu is designed to butter us all up for the inevitable. 

I still stand by my point however that none of the names being branded are any good at all so for the time being he may as well take the next game.

This next appointment is crucial and needs to be someone who will kick these players arses and demand instant respect. 
It all went downhill here when we failed to get Shaun Dyche in when we sacked Ralph. That sort of manager is what we need now. 

[sadoldgit]

31 minutes ago, Saint J 77 said:

I’d love to see us make a real push for someone like Brendan Rodgers. Is it really that unrealistic to hope for a manager with that level of experience and authority?

We could offer him a strong, short-term deal until the end of the season. If it doesn’t work out, then both parties simply move on. But at least we’d be giving ourselves a proven leader who commands respect something we badly need right now.

 

Yes, it is unrealistic to hope that a manager of his pedigree would come to us when he will have far better job opportunities come his way.

[Galway saint]

Get Tonda appointed, give him the January transfer window, sack him a few days after it closes having spent £20million plus on total dog shit and then appoint Mowbray and Lallana as caretaker managers until the end of the of the season, narrowly avoiding relegation - that’s the ‘Southampton Way’….

[HKsaint]

1 hour ago, UpweySaint said:

I think I have missed something today! Has something happened to convince everyone we are going with Tonda? Without going back more than a couple of pages it seems like the consensus is it’s a done deal …

Because Sports Republic is considering O Neil.

[Verbal]

1 hour ago, UpweySaint said:

I think I have missed something today! Has something happened to convince everyone we are going with Tonda? Without going back more than a couple of pages it seems like the consensus is it’s a done deal …

A consensus based on a tweet/blurt by Alex Crook, football's very own Mystic Meg. 

[vectraman]

I sincerely hope all of this rumour is nonsense and a smokescreen for getting a decent experienced no nonsense manager in.

Saints despite being a basket case to us fans is an attractive job, will pay well, and has great facilities.  Any sub premier league level manager would want to be considered for this vacancy - to say there are no suitable candidates for a highly paid, excellent opportunity, in the whole world except (allegedly) Tonda who has no actual management experience of a professional league men’s team is mind meltingly complete bullshit.

We absolutely MUST get a respected manager in, who isn’t mates with the team, isn’t being “heavily guided” by Sports Republic to tactics/formations/individual players who should be in the side. TE would be no more than a Sports Republic puppet. My own opinion, but until we bin off Jack Stephens, THB, Flynn Downes who I believe are poisonous to the team harmony, we will get nowhere. Sell them, erase Russel Martin from the team fabric and I believe the team will be all the better for it.

If we end up with TE as manager, and suffer 5 at the back, safety first boring football, with Bazunu in goal, then for me I’m done with it. I’d rather have had Gary o’Neil as manager, despite his blue associations, all day long rather than a nobody who has managed nobody, and will have the respect of nobody in the dressing room.

SR - get this appointment wrong, and you’ll have blown all of the fans patience and goodwill. Even on the Sainsweb site next manager vote TE got 5%. Says it all.

The issue is the underlying player power that certain players clearly have. If you pander to these pussies you are basically selling out on any hope of progressing this season. They need a giant kick up the ass, not an easy life.

Sort it, or ship out. You waste £7 million on a German unknown striker who is of no use whatsoever, that will get you pretty much any manager out there. I believe the issue is your leadership SR, your lack of understanding of the English game, and your pig headed ‘cleverness’ which most fans see as unbelievable smugness.

Ball is in your court….don’t fuck this up please…

[SoberSaint]

2 hours ago, Saint Troy said:

Assuming it is TE… I understand the flaws but there’s been a little more quick attacking intent the last couple of games?? Am I clutching at straws?

And plenty of fannying around at the back!