Looking ahead to their first attempt to get back into the Premier League next season, Southampton are now reportedly in advanced talks to hire an impressive 32-year-old manager.
Southampton's search for a new manager
The Southampton job isn't exactly one that every manager will be jumping towards this summer after the Saints suffered relegation from the Premier League. Having opened their season with Russell Martin in the dugout, the Saints were ready to take on the Premier League their way and opt out of simply sitting in a deep defensive block.
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The Saints need to make a new appointment.
As attractive as that approach looked, however, it did not result in much-needed points and those at St Mary's soon switched their mindsets towards survival, sacking Martin in the process.
Their next decision was always going to be crucial, even if some were already convinced that relegation was looming. Following Martin's tenure, it wouldn't have been absurd to suggest that a pragmatic, experienced Premier League manager should have been the way forward, but Southampton took an alternative approach once again - this time hiring Ivan Juric in December.
Southampton manager Ivan Juric reacts
Having enjoyed experience at AS Roma, Torino, Genoa and others in Italy, Juric stepped into the Premier League for the first time before enduring a nightmare spell. With one game remaining, the manager has already been sacked and Southampton have their place in history as the second-worst Premier League side in history, with one more point than the historic 2008 Derby County team.
Back at square one ahead of their return to the Championship, names such as Danny Rohl and even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard have reportedly been among the candidates in the running for the job, but Southampton's search has continued.
Whilst it could be neither of those young managers, the Saints have since reportedly turned towards an impressive 32-year-old who now looks the likeliest to commence a new era at St Mary's.
Southampton in advanced talks to hire Will Still
According to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Southampton have now approached Will Still and are in advanced talks to hire the 32-year-old manager, who just left Ligue 1 side RC Lens to be closer to his family.
will-still-rc-lens
The manager told reporters after his side defeated AS Monaco on the final day of the Ligue 1 season: "I will not be the coach of Lens next season. Today was my last match of the season at Bollaert. For multiple reasons, the main reason behind my decision is that I need to go back home. It is a logical choice for me to be closer to my wife, for her well-being."
Back in England, Southampton are now reportedly confident that they will secure Still ahead of next season. The interest of the Saints should come as little surprise, either, given just how successful Still, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, has been in France at both Reims and Lens.
For Southampton, should they be successful in their pursuit of Still, they'll be hiring another young coach to follow on from Martin's previous spell in charge.