Southampton have sacked manager Will Still after just 5 months in charge, following a dismal run of results that has left the Championship side hovering just above the relegation zone.
The decision comes after a 2-0 defeat to Preston North End, marking a third straight loss for the Saints and leaving them 21st in the table with 12 points from 13 matches. Still, 33, managed only two league victories since joining from RC Lens in May.
Will Will Still still be in a job tomorrow? https://t.co/FpHh4LpOtg
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) October 22, 2025
Still Dismissed After Five-Month Struggle
In a statement released on Sunday evening, Southampton confirmed the departure of Still and his backroom staff, including goalkeeping coach Rubén Martinez, analyst Clément Lemaitre and assistant Carl Martin.
Men’s under-21s head coach Tonda Eckert will assume interim charge as the club prepares to visit Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night.
“Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results,” said group technical director Johannes Spors. “Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked.
“By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.”
Still, who earned plaudits for his rise through French football and stint at Reims, struggled to replicate that momentum at St Mary’s.
His only Championship wins came against Wrexham on the opening weekend and Sheffield United in September. Despite insisting after Saturday’s loss that he would “keep fighting,” his fate was sealed less than 24 hours later.
Russell Martin Favourite to Return as Odds Take Shape
Attention has already turned to who will take over, with bookmakers installing former Saints manager Russell Martin as the early frontrunner. Martin, dismissed by Rangers last month following a difficult spell in Scotland, is priced at 1/1 with BetVictor to return for a second stint at St Mary’s less than a year after leaving the club.
Other names in the frame include former Leicester City and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, and ex-Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, all currently listed at 8/1.
Further down the list are Gary O’Neil and Lee Carsley at 10/1, while outsiders such as David Wagner, Paul Heckingbottom, and Steven Gerrard are priced between 14/1 and 25/1.
You have to really feel for Will Still. Clearly a good bloke and did well in France. He has been let down by the club, and massively let down by this group of players.
All I can say is cheers Will and best of luck on wherever he goes next. Whoever comes in to replace him has a… pic.twitter.com/nCMbIg89JZ
— 🔴Rhys⚪️ (@RhysTheSaint) November 2, 2025
Still’s dismissal makes him the seventh managerial casualty under the ownership of Sport Republic in under 4 years, underlining the instability that continues to hinder the club’s attempts to rebuild after Premier League relegation. With fixtures against QPR and Coventry City on the horizon, Southampton’s hierarchy will be eager to make a swift appointment before the international break.
Whoever steps in faces an immediate challenge: restoring confidence in a squad that has managed only 2 goals in its last 4 outings, and reviving promotion hopes that have already begun to fade before November.
