Former Southampton manager Will Still has reportedly held talks with fellow Championship club Norwich City.
The Canaries currently sit second bottom after a poor start to the season, which saw Liam Manning sacked over the weekend.
New names going into the story with Will Still and Jon Dahl Tomasson having also been spoken to. #ncfc https://t.co/NptRGqkWxj https://t.co/BI3M0vF7mY
— Nick Mashiter (@nickmashiter) November 12, 2025
Straight Out To Straight In
In a dramatic turn for Southampton Football Club, manager Will Still has been unceremoniously dismissed after a mere 5 months at the helm, leaving the Saints teetering on the brink of further turmoil in the Championship.
The 33-year-old coach, hailed as a prodigy from his stints at Reims and Lens in Ligue 1, arrived in May on a 3-year deal following the club’s ignominious drop from the Premier League. Yet, his tenure proved a disaster, overpowered by dismal results and mounting frustrations.
Still’s downfall was swift and unforgiving. Appointed as the youngest boss in the EFL, he oversaw just 2 league victories in 13 outings, culminating in a humiliating 2 0 home defeat to Preston North End at the start of the month. This loss plunged Southampton to 21st in the Championship table, a mere 3 points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
The Saints, who trail leaders Coventry City by 16 points, have endured 3 straight losses and a barren run of one win in 11 matches across all fronts. Several outles have sighted summer signings as ill-suited to Still’s high pressing blueprint, echoing the missteps that doomed his predecessors Russell Martin and Ivan Juric.
Technical director Johannes Spors praised Still’s commitment but admitted the turnaround lagged. Defender Nathan Wood‘s post-match outburst against fans only amplified the chaos on the south coast this season, prompting his public apology.
With his assistants Rubén Martinez, Clément Lemaitre, and Carl Martin also departing, under-21 coach Tonda Eckert steps in as interim manager whilst the club searches for a replacement. Speculation swirls around potential saviours like Frank Lampard or a Russell Martin comeback after a disappointing spell at Rangers.
BREAKING: Southampton sack manager Will Still 🚨 pic.twitter.com/3PWzjL8J3n
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 2, 2025
Who Else: How Might Still Change Norwich City?
Norwich City similarly axed head coach Liam Manning after six dire months. The 40-year-old, lured from Bristol City with a 4-year pact in June, delivered one win in 11 Championship games, sinking to 22nd. Seven home defeats, including a 1 0 loss to Bristol City via Mark Sykes‘ strike, fueled fury.
Norwich City can confirm that the club have parted company with head coach Liam Manning.
Assistant head coach Chris Hogg and first-team coach analyst James Krause have also left the club.
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 8, 2025
Key injuries and losses over the summer did, however, cripple his possession press. Sporting director Ben Knapper acted decisively, with his assistants Chris Hogg and James Krause departing too.
Speaking in his final post-match press conference, Manning said:
“When you make that many signings in the summer, and when you look at the run of the club from January, February onwards, I think probably I underestimated a little bit how difficult it will be,”
“I reflect, I look at things. What would I do differently? What did we get right? What did we get wrong?”
“I look at myself, in terms of the performances or anything I could do differently, and there might be some small tweaks, but when it comes to the key moments, putting it in the back of the net, those aspects I can’t do.”
Will Still’s high press from Reims and Lens in Ligue 1 may suit Norwich’s young stars like Jovon Makama. At 33, his tactical flexibility and youth still give him plenty of time to adapt his style. If this happens, Norwich will be hoping their season can ignite sooner rather than later.
Here are the odds for the next Norwich City manager, according to 5 of the UK’s biggest bookmakers.
| Bookmaker | 1st Favourite | Odds | 2nd Favourite | Odds | 3rd Favourite | Odds | 4th Favourite | Odds | 5th Favourite | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | Gary O’Neil | 2/1 | Russell Martin | 5/2 | Michael Carrick | 4/1 | Will Still | 6/1 | Brendan Rodgers | 10/1 |
| William Hill | Gary O’Neil | 2/1 | Russell Martin | 5/2 | Michael Carrick | 4/1 | Will Still | 6/1 | Jon Dahl Tomasson | 8/1 |
| Paddy Power | Russell Martin | 5/1 | Gary O’Neil | 3/1 | Michael Carrick | 4/1 | Brendan Rodgers | 10/1 | Will Still | 6/1 |
| Betfair | Gary O’Neil | 2/1 | Michael Carrick | 4/1 | Russell Martin | 5/2 | Will Still | 6/1 | Jon Dahl Tomasson | 8/1 |
| Sky Bet | Russell Martin | 5/1 | Gary O’Neil | 3/1 | Michael Carrick | 4/1 | Will Still | 6/1 | Brendan Rodgers | 10/1 |
