BBC EFL pundit Sam Parkin has had his say on the rumours circulating that former Portsmouth player Gary O’Neil is being considered for the Southampton job.
Saints fans have reacted angrily to the news that O’Neil could replace Will Still in the St. Mary’s dugout.
O’Neil Deserves A Chance, But It Would Be Brave
Parkin, a former striker best known for his time at Swindon Town, believes O’Neil would be a brave appointment.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss played almost 200 games for Portsmouth in a nearly 7-year spell at Fratton Park.
“I think that would be a very brave appointment.”
His affinity to Southampton’s fiercest rivals runs deeper than having represented them on the football field. O’Neil has spoken about being a supporter of the club and has been quoted as saying,
“I’m certain that one day I will manage Portsmouth Football Club. That’s my aim. Hopefully, that moment is part of my future.”
If O’Neil were to take the job at St. Mary’s, surely his dream of managing Pompey would end immediately, potentially giving the former Bristol City player a big decision to make.
Taking over at Southampton as a former Portsmouth player would mean O’Neil would start on the back foot with supporters and immediately be under pressure.
The Timing Is Not Right O’Neil
Parkin does believe that Gary O’Neil is deserving of another shot at management, but not with the two clubs he is currently being linked with.
The former West Ham United midfielder got his first taste of management at Bournemouth before a 63-game spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“That’s not that I don’t feel Gary O’Neil deserves another opportunity at a good club, he absolutely does.”
O’Neil left Portsmouth to join Middlesbrough before leaving The Riverside for West Ham United, and Parkin suggests his playing history could prove a stumbling block.
“It’s ironic that the two jobs he’s being linked with are Southampton, where he’s got such an affinity with Portsmouth, and Middlesbrough, where I think he left under a little bit of a cloud when he was a player.”
“So those two might be tricky for him for one reason or another, but he’ll get another job.”
Looking Ahead, Who’s Next At St. Mary’s?
Gary O’Neil’s name is not the only one circulating as a potential new boss for the Saints, with former managers having their names thrown in the ring.
Parkin, however, believes you shouldn’t go back.
“I think Southampton, it’s dangerous to go back, Russell Martin, Ralph Hasenhuttl, guys like that have been spoken about.”
Since removing Still, Southampton have won 2 from 2 under caretaker boss Tonda Eckert, so could the German be the man to take them forward?
Parkin believes not, as he suggests the Saints will make an outside hire their new permanent manager.
“They’ve won two out of two under caretaker boss Tonda Eckert. He was a club appointment – he wasn’t someone Will Still brought in.”
“The players are clearly playing for him, so it seems like they might have turned the corner. But I would still anticipate it being an external appointment.”
