Southampton Part Ways with Manager Will Still

Southampton Football Club have announced that they have parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Will Still following a difficult run of results in the Championship.

In a statement released this evening, Sunday 2 November, the club confirmed that Still and his coaching staff — Rubén Martinez, Clément Lemaitre, and Carl Martin — have all left their positions with immediate effect.

Men’s Under-21s Head Coach Tonda Eckert will step in to take charge of the first team on an interim basis while the club begins the process of appointing a permanent successor.

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors paid tribute to Still and his team, acknowledging their effort and professionalism during their time at St Mary’s, but said the decision was made to improve the team’s chances of turning around their season.

“Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results. 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.

I would like to thank Will, Rubén, Clément and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future,” Spors said.

Still, 33, was appointed Southampton manager earlier this year after leaving French side Stade de Reims, but struggled to deliver consistent results in the Championship. The Saints have slipped down the table in recent weeks, prompting the club to act.

Southampton will now look to regroup under Eckert’s leadership ahead of their next league fixture, as they aim to revive their promotion hopes in the second half of the season.