New Manager Debate

[davefizzy14]

Didn't one of the itkers on here say that the final shortlist was down to four? If so then surely we'd have an idea of who we'd look to appoint. 

[Dusic]

54 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

I don't disagree with a lot of what you said in your post, I too get nervous when people talk about appointing a "name", football is littered with managers who get appointed because of illustrious playing careers rather than their abilities as a manager/coach and usually it doesn't end well. But although the 3 successful Saints managers you mention didn't have experience in English football, they did all at least have a body of work as coaches behind them that would have given those making the appointment some confidence they could do the job we needed at the time. Poch was the youngest and definitely a left field choice at the time but he still had over 3 years experience of managing Espanyol in La Liga to give Cortese etc a good idea of what he could do and what kind of coach he was going to be. The other 2 were both experienced coaches at a good level. 

Surely you can see the difference between that and appointing the likes of Selles and potentially Eckert on a wing and a prayer just because they are easily to hand within the club already? (We have previous examples of that with Stuart Gray and Steve Wigley for those longer in the tooth like myself and they didn't end well either!). 

Completely can see the difference and not sure Eckert would be a good idea.

Point more that none of the current names mentioned particularly inspire and a lot of the narrative on here craving experience of the division etc often goes against what has worked well for us in the past.

If SR were to appoint Eckert its far from the easy option because they know they will face huge scrutiny so if they do go for him then could only assume they have huge faith in him and would have seen how the squad has taken to him over a 5 or 6 game spell which isnt always an available option and might mitigate the risk slightly.

[hypochondriac]

9 minutes ago, John B said:

Why would they appoint Eckert after two wins against mediocre teams as there is no hurry as it is highly unlikely we will get promoted this season and if we did it would likely be a disaster

 

SR would have learnt from their mistakes with Jones and Juric  despite what some on here might think

 

Getting in a Manager when we were in the PL was much easier than in the Championship but we were only really successful with PL managers who moved on very quickly to bigger clubs

 

 

 

 

The idea that they should be running the club on the basis that it is likely we won't get promoted and that it would be a disaster if we did is absolutely ridiculous. Be serious.

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, vectraman said:

Thank you. My feeling with Jack is that I don’t believe he, THB or Flynn Downes have been fully committed 100% behind Will Still. Certainly THB and Downes have been way off the standards that they can play at. Jack Stephens I don’t think has played too badly this season. What I have issue with is he has not at any point come out and backed Will Still, and apologised for poor team performances, which as captain I’d expect him to be doing. I don’t see him on the pitch driving the team on and encouraging more from them. 
It is this nondescript non committal attitude of not publicly backing Will Still, not openly accepting we have played poorly and stating he and the players have let everyone down and it isn’t acceptable and he will strive to improve it with the squad and not let the manager down. 
Minimum expectation as club captain. Never really got that from him. Why I believe he is part of the issue as a long term player here.

 

Rather than big long winded conspiracies analysing every action and non action of one man have we considered that our strikers weren’t very good for quite large chunks of the season, neither was our keeper or goalkeeper and suddenly against QPR and Sheff Wednesday we were a bit more efficient at both ends of the pitch and absolutely none of it is some finite confirmation that either Will Still or TE are brilliant or terrible? 

[hypochondriac]

23 minutes ago, Chez said:

I think Phil Parsons said something along the lines of 'it was brutal for Russell Martin with 30,000 fans calling for his head'. But I don't recall him saying anything about them being happy to keep him if fans had wanted him. Maybe your memory is better than mine. 

Ultimately, fans disgruntlement will probably mirror what board and owners feel. I think they sacked him because they felt results were not going to change.

I agree. If they appointed O'Neil it would have showed that they felt he was the best man for the job. There is an assumption he hasn't been appointed because of the fans chant. But maybe the club didn't feel he was right for them or vis versa. 

Perhaps I am being naive, but when you have £200m invested in a club do you really allow fans to dictate how it is run?

He said something like if the fans had wanted him to be kept then they should have not started chanting in the way that they did. I personally think sports Republic shouldn't really listen to the fans and just get in the person they believe will win the most which is all fans really care about in the main. Maybe they aren't but.iwoild suggest there is some evidence to suggest that they do make some of their decisions that way.

[Farmer Saint]

.

Edited 7 hours ago by Farmer Saint
Life's too short

[John B]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

The idea that they should be running the club on the basis that it is likely we won't get promoted and that it would be a disaster if we did is absolutely ridiculous. Be serious.

You live in La La Land it takes time to build a PL team be realistic there are so few PL standard players in our squad just like last season when we amassed so few points

 

Our other promotion teams did have some decent PL players but these days you need over 20 top class players

[hypochondriac]

41 minutes ago, Chez said:

I think Phil Parsons said something along the lines of 'it was brutal for Russell Martin with 30,000 fans calling for his head'. But I don't recall him saying anything about them being happy to keep him if fans had wanted him. Maybe your memory is better than mine. 

Ultimately, fans disgruntlement will probably mirror what board and owners feel. I think they sacked him because they felt results were not going to change.

I agree. If they appointed O'Neil it would have showed that they felt he was the best man for the job. There is an assumption he hasn't been appointed because of the fans chant. But maybe the club didn't feel he was right for them or vis versa. 

Perhaps I am being naive, but when you have £200m invested in a club do you really allow fans to dictate how it is run?

I was partially correct:

You'd rather be investing in football, in the playing squad. So there will be up and down moments.

"My ask, simply sitting here, is to stay behind the manager because if we do want to keep the same face, managing the football club, we've got to stay behind that person through ups and downs"

The clear implication being that he was removed because the fans had all turned on him.

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, John B said:

You live in La La Land it takes time to build a PL team be realistic there are so few PL standard players in our squad just like last season when we amassed so few points

 

Our other promotion teams did have some decent PL players but these days you need over 20 top class players

Firstly there's zero percent chance the club sees things that way. Secondly what's your plan? 4 years amassing a new team in the championship with dwindling revenues and the quality you do unearth sold to stay afloat?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

8 minutes ago, John B said:

You live in La La Land it takes time to build a PL team be realistic there are so few PL standard players in our squad just like last season when we amassed so few points

 

Our other promotion teams did have some decent PL players but these days you need over 20 top class players

Not sure about that. Sunderland have been away from the PL for a long time. Seems they've only taking one transfer window to build a competitive PL team.

[CB Fry]

37 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

We played terrible opposition before TE took over and didn’t win so maybe he’s the messiah. 

I'm already shitting myself that he's going to get poached by Genoa

[Saint Pete]

7 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Not sure about that. Sunderland have been away from the PL for a long time. Seems they've only taking one transfer window to build a competitive PL team.

Granit Xhaka has been a major reason for their success in my opinion, outstanding signing for a promoted team, not sure how they pulled that off. A proper leader on the pitch makes a real difference, and genuine quality who could be playing for the usual top of league teams.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Saint Pete said:

Granit Xhaka has been a major reason for their success in my opinion, outstanding signing for a promoted team, not sure how they pulled that off. A proper leader on the pitch makes a real difference, and genuine quality who could be playing for the usual top of league teams.

There is more to them than Granit Xhaka although I agree he was an astute signing. They have packed their squad with pace and power because they realise that is what is needed to compete in the Premier League. Our little snowflakes would be like lambs to the slaughter if we were playing Premier league teams and they aren't physical enough for the Championship either.

Edited 6 hours ago by saintant

[Football Special]

34 minutes ago, John B said:

You live in La La Land it takes time to build a PL team be realistic there are so few PL standard players in our squad just like last season when we amassed so few points

 

Our other promotion teams did have some decent PL players but these days you need over 20 top class players

Have you watched Sunderland much this season? 

[bangkoksaint]

The culture in the team and around the club is awful. I’ve been following how Tyler Dibling has been doing. The reports on him, which are well documented and things that Moyes has said aren’t particularly good. This is no doubt a hangover from his days with us. I’m sure and I hope he comes good. Meanwhile the apples rot in our squad and seemingly it’s contagious.

[EBS1980]

1 hour ago, Fabrice29 said:

How long does instant respect last? Can you lose it? Can it be earned?

Who knows but clearly in 13 games Still didn’t earn it from the players 

[Katalinic]

2 hours ago, John B said:

I did not say we should go for the unproven route I just think getting in a good manager is very difficult because most of the suggestions on here are unlikely to happen

 

So best to wait until we can get in someone decent

 

At this stage you have just (and continue to on this thread) tied yourself in knots.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, Farmer Saint said:

.

I'm not reading all that.

[East Kent Saint]

50 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

The culture in the team and around the club is awful. I’ve been following how Tyler Dibling has been doing. The reports on him, which are well documented and things that Moyes has said aren’t particularly good. This is no doubt a hangover from his days with us. I’m sure and I hope he comes good. Meanwhile the apples rot in our squad and seemingly it’s contagious.

I think Dibling has a problem,  I don't think you can blame Saints for who he is . 

[Farmer Saint]

Just now, East Kent Saint said:

I think Dibling has a problem,  I don't think you can blame Saints for who he is . 

He does have a problem, as I continuously said in the Summer that we should sell him. He has some proper issues/demons that he needs to sort - him and Chelsea was a huge red flag and it was why many PL teams weren't actually interested.

[Saint Fan CaM]

3 hours ago, Hopper said:

Don't understand the fascination with Viera. Most middling of managerial careers, great player, bang average manager - at best.

You do realise we’re not exactly the most attractive club at the moment right? Terrible owners and group structure, a large squad of seemingly unmanageable players that blow hot and cold depending on whether they can influence the manager or not, a toxic fanbase due to 3 years of mediocrity and failure and performances that are struggling to get the club out of the lower half of the Championship. If we were to appoint Vierra I think we should be very grateful indeed - there’s not too many better qualified candidates.

[Hopper]

7 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

You do realise we’re not exactly the most attractive club at the moment right? Terrible owners and group structure, a large squad of seemingly unmanageable players that blow hot and cold depending on whether they can influence the manager or not, a toxic fanbase due to 3 years of mediocrity and failure and performances that are struggling to get the club out of the lower half of the Championship. If we were to appoint Vierra I think we should be very grateful indeed - there’s not too many better qualified candidates.

The solution to mediocrity isn’t more mediocrity.

[Tom & Gerry]

I'd keep Eckert as Interim Manager for as long as we keep climbing the table. Don't make him permanent as we'll only start losing again.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

3 minutes ago, Tom & Gerry said:

I'd keep Eckert as Interim Manager for as long as we keep climbing the table. Don't make him permanent as we'll only start losing again.

Lol, I wonder how long that will be.

[Chez]

2 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

He said something like if the fans had wanted him to be kept then they should have not started chanting in the way that they did. I personally think sports Republic shouldn't really listen to the fans and just get in the person they believe will win the most which is all fans really care about in the main. Maybe they aren't but.iwoild suggest there is some evidence to suggest that they do make some of their decisions that way.

Can you point me to this comment from Parson in the fans forum, because I don't recall him saying that.

If he didn't say it, then what other evidence is there of them making decisions based on the mood of the fans? 

 

[coalman]

2 hours ago, davefizzy14 said:

Didn't one of the itkers on here say that the final shortlist was down to four? If so then surely we'd have an idea of who we'd look to appoint. 

I believe it's a choice between Tonda Eckert, T. Eckert, Tonda E. and Mr Eckert.

[Lighthouse]

42 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

You do realise we’re not exactly the most attractive club at the moment right? Terrible owners and group structure, a large squad of seemingly unmanageable players that blow hot and cold depending on whether they can influence the manager or not, a toxic fanbase due to 3 years of mediocrity and failure and performances that are struggling to get the club out of the lower half of the Championship. If we were to appoint Vierra I think we should be very grateful indeed - there’s not too many better qualified candidates.

Yes we are. The ingredients are all there, we just need the right man to come in and get them playing as a team.

[Chez]

39 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

You do realise we’re not exactly the most attractive club at the moment right? Terrible owners and group structure, a large squad of seemingly unmanageable players that blow hot and cold depending on whether they can influence the manager or not, a toxic fanbase due to 3 years of mediocrity and failure and performances that are struggling to get the club out of the lower half of the Championship. If we were to appoint Vierra I think we should be very grateful indeed - there’s not too many better qualified candidates.

Glad you didn't write the advertisement for the position. Let me try: Head coach position in one of the worlds strongest leagues. Potentially the highest paid English club manager job outside of the PL. Currently has an underperforming side, allowing any improvements to reflect well on the new appointment. Squad incudes both experienced and young talent. Manager is well backed by board and owner in terms of funding for new players. Money will be made available in January to refresh the squad through loans/signings. Experienced pro in Romeu just joined the side. Excellent training facilities/stadium. Decent academy to help with long term prospects. Positive and friendly supporter base...

[Hopper]

We have a ton going for us. Parachute payments, a squad full of quality (for the championship) and owner happy to invest, first class facilities at Staplewood. A premier league stadium etc, etc.

 

We are a great prospect for any manager worth their salt under the elite level.

[Sheaf Saint]

2 minutes ago, Chez said:

Glad you didn't write the advertisement for the position. Let me try: Head coach position in one of the worlds strongest leagues. Potentially the highest paid English club manager job outside of the PL. Currently has an underperforming side, allowing any improvements to reflect well on the new appointment. Squad incudes both experienced and young talent. Manager is well backed by board and owner in terms of funding for new players. Money will be made available in January to refresh the squad through loans/signings. Experienced pro in Romeu just joined the side. Excellent training facilities/stadium. Decent academy to help with long term prospects. Positive and friendly supporter base...

Don't forget the world class catering and radio station.

[Miltonaggro]

38 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Lol, I wonder how long that will be.

Promotion and an FA Cup win...

[Willo of Whiteley]

Ninety-three points to play for everyone….

If Tonda takes over then Sports Republic HAVE to back him in the transfer window, and if that means buying five or six new players for slightly inflated fees then so be it.

Sport Republic, put your money where your mouth is.

[Willo of Whiteley]

19 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

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

This.

I’m hoping it’s on the level of judgement for Scienza and Jander.

He obviously sees something in Tonda Eckhart that we don’t currently.

But he, and Sport Republic MUST back him in the January window.

[Weston Super Saint]

16 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Ninety-three points to play for everyone….

If Tonda takes over then Sports Republic HAVE to back him in the transfer window, and if that means buying five or six new players for slightly inflated fees then so be it.

Sport Republic, put your money where your mouth is.

Didn't Still moan about having a massively bloated squad?

Five or six new players is another half a team, not going to happen.

We might get a 20 something "striker" from Germany or Belgium that doesn't score goals, if we're lucky.

[hypochondriac]

3 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

I was partially correct:

You'd rather be investing in football, in the playing squad. So there will be up and down moments.

"My ask, simply sitting here, is to stay behind the manager because if we do want to keep the same face, managing the football club, we've got to stay behind that person through ups and downs"

The clear implication being that he was removed because the fans had all turned on him.

 

1 hour ago, Chez said:

Can you point me to this comment from Parson in the fans forum, because I don't recall him saying that.

If he didn't say it, then what other evidence is there of them making decisions based on the mood of the fans? 

 

See the post three below your one.

[Willo of Whiteley]

30 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Didn't Still moan about having a massively bloated squad?

Five or six new players is another half a team, not going to happen.

We might get a 20 something "striker" from Germany or Belgium that doesn't score goals, if we're lucky.

Yep. I’ve said separately in the January Window thread that players need to be shipped out. Cut losses and get rid of some of the deadwood.

My point was more an emphasis on SR backing Eckhart.

For example, if we don’t sign anyone in January and he has the same turgid players and they decide to sack him in the summer then THAT is on SR. Not on Eckhart.

[Tom & Gerry]

1 hour ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Lol, I wonder how long that will be.

Who knows, hopefully May 2030

[Lighthouse]

Given the injury to Stewart and Downs being hopeless, I'd hope we can try and get another striker on loan in January. I wouldn't expect us to be splashing the cash on players and nor should we. We've just chucked £60m at the squad, and had to pay off Still and find a replacement.

[Osvaldorama]

5 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

Should age be an issue? Fabian Hürzeler is doing ok at Brighton and he is 32.

 

I think it’s pretty obvious, after the disaster of Still  

Brighton are well functioning. You can afford a gamble or a novice in a well functioning club. (See also Brentford)

We are a shit show that needs the entire club culture fixing 

[gallaghert366@yahoo.com]

1 hour ago, coalman said:

I believe it's a choice between Tonda Eckert, T. Eckert, Tonda E. and Mr Eckert.

Makes sense to continue with status quo as any thoughts about reaching the play offs, with this squad, is pie in the sky.

Should relegation become a possibility then I would expect a change.

[Badger]

1 hour ago, coalman said:

I believe it's a choice between Tonda Eckert, T. Eckert, Tonda E. and Mr Eckert.

And the German bloke, Herr Eckert 

[skintsaint]

11 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Given the injury to Stewart and Downs being hopeless, I'd hope we can try and get another striker on loan in January. I wouldn't expect us to be splashing the cash on players and nor should we. We've just chucked £60m at the squad, and had to pay off Still and find a replacement.

Think the board are a bit scarred after last times loans with the commiting to buy, pretty much used our budget on going up.

[Badger]

11 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

I think it’s pretty obvious, after the disaster of Still  

Brighton are well functioning. You can afford a gamble or a novice in a well functioning club. (See also Brentford)

We are a shit show that needs the entire club culture fixing 

I think the Brighton manager also had a promotion from Bundesliga2  on his CV with St Pauli. 

[Badger]

7 hours ago, BERMUDASAINT said:

Just some info on our u21 coach, i did not know much about him, so thought I would take a look, i am impressed, his young career stats look very good!

U21 before he took over:

2024-2025 Southampton U21 Stats
Previous Season Next Season
Record: 10-4-6, 34 points (1.70 per game), 7th in Premier League 2 (1st Tier)

Home Record: 5-2-3, 17 points Away Record: 5-2-3, 17 points

Goals: 38 (1.90 per game), Goals Against: 31 (1.55 per game), Diff: 7.

U21 under him, he had improved results and goals per game:

2025-2026 Southampton U21 Stats
Previous Season
Record: 5-3-1, 18 points (2.00 per game), 5th in Premier League 2 (1st Tier)

Home Record: 3-1-0, 10 points Away Record: 2-2-1, 8 points

Goals: 20 (2.22 per game), Goals Against: 15 (1.67 per game), Diff: 5

His career so far, has worked with some good coaches. I see Marco Rose was one of them. He has been mentioned as a canidate, i wonder if that would be a good fit as they havd worked togethef in the past?

Club & role		from / until	Games / PPG
	Southampton Caretaker Manager	25/26 (03/11/2025) / -	2 / 3.00
	Southampton U21 Manager	25/26 (11/07/2025) / -	10 / 1.90
	Genoa Assistant Manager	21/22 (19/01/2022) / 25/26 (10/07/2025)	-
Assistant Manager of: Alberto Gilardino (79 Games), Alexander Blessin (33 Games), Patrick Vieira (26 Games)
	Barnsley Assistant Manager	20/21 (13/08/2020) / 21/22 (19/01/2022)	-
Assistant Manager of: Valérien Ismaël (44 Games), Markus Schopp (16 Games), Poya Asbaghi (8 Games), Gerhard Struber (7 Games), Adam Murray (3 Games), Joseph Laumann (2 Games)
	FC Bayern U17 Assistant Manager	19/20 (01/09/2019) / 19/20 (30/06/2020)	-
Assistant Manager of: Miroslav Klose (16 Games)
	RB Leipzig U19 Assistant Manager	17/18 (01/07/2017) / 18/19 (30/06/2019)	-
Assistant Manager of: Alexander Blessin (31 Games), Robert Klauß (28 Games)
	RB Leipzig YL Assistant Manager	17/18 (01/07/2017) / 18/19 (30/06/2019)	-
Assistant Manager of: Robert Klauß (6 Games)
	AKA Salzb. U18 Assistant Manager	16/17 (01/07/2016) / 16/17 (30/06/2017)	-
Assistant Manager of: Marco Rose (22 Games)
	RB Salzburg YL Assistant Manager	16/17 (01/07/2016) / 16/17 (30/06/2017)	-
Assistant Manager of: Marco Rose (9 Games)
	1.FC Köln U17 Assistant Manager	13/14 (01/07/2013) / 15/16 (30/06/2016)	-
Assistant Manager of: Stephan Möthrath (63 Games), Ralf Aussem (14 Games), Markus Daun (1 Game)
	Fortuna Köln Head of Scouting	12/13 (01/07/2012) / 12/13 (30/06/2013)	-
	Germany Match Analyst	11/12 (01/11/2011) / 14/15 (30/08/2014)	-

 

He did play as a CM

Transfer history as a player

16/17

01/07/2016

Retired

Free Transfer

 

 

Arnoldsweiler

 

Total transfer fees:

 

 

 

 

Stats 25/26

 

Competition	Matches	W	D	L	Points	PPM
Total:	12	7	4	1	25	2.08
	9	5	3	1	18	2.00
	2	2	-	-	6	3.00
	1	-	1	-	1	1.00

Some good research, and fine that his short career to date has some relative success to it, and that in time he might make a good manager/head coach.

But question is whether he’s ready for the step up in a toxic club atmosphere. Doubt it myself, and not selecting him now is probably in his best interest long term. And ours. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Badger

[Nolan]

4 hours ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Lol, I wonder how long that will be.

...

Edited 1 hour ago by Nolan
I posted complete trifle.

[Roger]

Wasn’t Ekhart the baddie in the original Batman???

[Saint_clark]

5 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

Rather than big long winded conspiracies analysing every action and non action of one man have we considered that our strikers weren’t very good for quite large chunks of the season, neither was our keeper or goalkeeper and suddenly against QPR and Sheff Wednesday we were a bit more efficient at both ends of the pitch and absolutely none of it is some finite confirmation that either Will Still or TE are brilliant or terrible? 

Its amazing isn't it. If we'd kept Still and had those two performances/results how different would the discourse on here be. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Some good research, and fine that his limited career to date has some relative success to it, and that in time he might make a good manager/head coach.

But question is whether he’s ready for the step up in a toxic club atmosphere. Doubt it myself, and not selecting him now is probably in his best interest long term. And ours. 

Worked with Rose before!🤔

Rose and Eckhart dream team.

[Green]

1 hour ago, Nolan said:

Adkins has the record at 5 wins in his first 5 games

We drew his first home game. Can’t remember if he was in charge for an away game before that.

[Appy]

37 minutes ago, Green said:

We drew his first home game. Can’t remember if he was in charge for an away game before that.

MK Dons away I think it was.