Southampton are set to return to the Championship after just one year in the Premier League, and the managerless club are already looking at replacements for Ivan Juric.
EFL Analysis revealed on Thursday that Frank Lampard is a target for the Saints, but the Coventry City boss is not the only English manager who is in with a shout of taking up the vacancy at St. Mary’s this summer.
However, the Hampshire outfit have had an extremely disappointing campaign, and they know that improvements have to be made quickly if they are to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Nevertheless, if Southampton are to land one of their targets, then they will have to beat Hull City to his signature, after they controversially sacked Ruben Selles.
Will Still is a target of both Hull City and Southampton
Will Still is one of the most exciting names in the managerial scene currently, and the 32-year-old is being targeted by both the Tigers and Saints with a void left to fill in both of their dugouts, as per l’Equipe.
Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Darren Witcoop has also reported that the Belgian-English manager is the number one target for Southampton, and it looks likely that they will move quickly in the coming weeks to secure his services ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
With the EFL confirming the dates for the transfer window, the soon-to-be returning Championship club will want to get a new manager in as soon as possible to help them in the right direction during the summer.
For Hull, it would be an extremely ambitious move, with Still having plenty of experience already in Ligue 1, France’s top flight. However, after sacking three managers in the last 12 months, it could be tough to entice the former Reims boss to the MKM Stadium.
The reason behind Will Still’s Lens departure revealed
Still has enjoyed success in his short managerial career, and he ended the 2024/25 season in 8th with RC Lens. However, he is set to leave the club due to personal reasons and he is open to a return to management in England – where his family lives, and this will be of interest to Southampton.
He said in his final post-match press conference for the French side: “I will not be the coach of RC Lens next season. It was the last of the season at Bollaert, but it was also my last. For many reasons.
“The main reason why I made this decision is the fact that I need to go home. Everyone is well aware of what has happened in my life. That’s why.”
Still’s partner, Sky Sports’ Emma Saunders, revealed in March that she was receiving treatment for encephalitis, and this has played a huge part in his decision: “The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being as well.
“I haven’t signed anything anywhere yet, even though there has always been interest,” the 32-year-old concluded.