Will Still is set to be named as Southampton’s new manager after agreeing a deal with the soon-to-be Championship club.
Highly-rated Still recently left his role as manager of RC Lens earlier this month after leading the club to an eighth-placed finish in Ligue 1 and cited a desire to be closer to his family back in England. Still’s parner, Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, revealed she had encephalitis, a brain infection, in March.
The 32-year-old will sign a three-year contract with the Saints, set to be announced on Sunday, and will be tasked with sealing an immediate return to the Premier League. Southampton are now negotiating to bring Still’s brothers, Edward and Nicolas, on board as part of his backroom staff – with the duo having worked with their sibling at both Reims and Lens.
Saints have endured a terrible season in the top flight this year and were relegated early in April, having won just two of their 37 games, although that – combined with six draws – at least meant they narrowly avoided matching Derby County’s record low points total of 11.
Russell Martin was in charge at the start of the season but was dismissed in December due to poor results and his successor, Ivan Juric, was unable to turn around Southampton’s fortunes. He was let go after just 107 days in charge leaving the club searching for another manager, with Still now ready to fill the void.
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss, Danny Rohl, was linked with the role before the appointment of Juric and was considered once again this time but the club hierarchy have opted for the much-touted Still, who initially burst to prominence as he impressed while in charge of Reims despite not yet having all his coaching badges.
He moved to Lens last summer but following their season-ending 4-0 win over Monaco earlier this month, Still revealed: “I will not be the coach of RC Lens next season. Today was my last match of the season at Bollaert.
“The main reason pushing me to make this decision is the fact that I need to return home. Everyone is well aware of what has happened in my life. That’s why.”
