Southampton have moved a step closer to appointing their next manager as Will Still has now been offered the St Mary's job, although it is not a done deal yet, GIVEMESPORT sources have exclusively revealed on the latest episode of our Market Madness podcast.
Having parted company with Ivan Juric last month, just 24 hours after Saints' relegation from the Premier League was confirmed thanks to a defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Simon Rusk has been in caretaker charge of the south coast outfit as they prepare for a quickfire return to the Championship.
But Southampton have been working around the clock to identify the preferred candidate to move into the hot-seat and, having seen Still confirm he will walk away from Ligue 1 side Lens due to personal reasons last weekend, he is on course to be given the managerial reins if he wants to take on the challenge and a package can be agreed with Lens.
Saints Edge Closer to Appointing Still as Boss
Tactician has been handed opportunity to move into dugout
Will Still
Southampton have offered the manager's job to Still after holding productive talks behind the scenes, according to GMS sources, but it is not a done deal at this stage as all parties still need to discuss the terms on offer and Lens would need to be paid a compensation package in order to allow him to make the switch.
Saints have decided to up the ante in their pursuit of the 32-year-old tactician after initially entering advanced discussions earlier this month and, having confirmed his desire to return to England, he is contemplating whether to take on the task of attempting to spearhead a Championship promotion push at St Mary's next term.
GMS sources have been informed that technical director Johannes Spors has been leading the process to pinpoint the best option to become Juric's long-term successor and, after enjoying a fruitful spell at the Lens helm, Still has been handed the chance to take charge of Southampton even though there is a complicated exit package to negotiate.
Will Still's statistics in charge of Lens
The former Reims and Beerschot VA chief has been described as 'incredible' after making a promising start to his managerial career and would be at the helm of an English side for the first time if he decides to grasp the opportunity to head to the south coast for a fresh challenge before the 2025/26 campaign.
Southampton have been eager to finalise their plans at the end of the season instead of rushing into bringing a fresh figure into the hot-seat for the remainder of the campaign following Juric's departure, GMS sources have learned, meaning Rusk is due to remain in charge for the clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Rohl Compensation Fee Was Stumbling Block
Sheffield Wednesday chief not on course to head to St Mary's
Danny Rohl
GMS sources have been told that Southampton are not expected to make a late U-turn and aim to appoint Danny Rohl after they were put off by the compensation fee they would have to fork out in order to persuade Sheffield Wednesday to faciliate the switch in the coming months.
There have been suggestions that Saints would have to pay in the region of £5million in order to get their hands on the 35-year-old, while it would take close to double that figure if they wanted to also ensure his close-knit coaching staff followed in his footsteps from Hillsborough to St Mary's.
Southampton were in danger of missing out on Rohl if they decided he was their first-choice contender as GMS sources understand that he is being courted by English rivals, along with sides in Germany and Saudi Arabia, after impressing with the job he has done at Sheffield Wednesday.
Simon Rusk Related
Southampton Hold Talks to Appoint 35-Year-Old Alongside Will Still
Southampton have reportedly identified two targets for their vacant managerial position as they prepare for a return to the Championship.
Writing in his exclusive GMS newsletter, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Still will relocate to England after the Ligue 1 campaign reached its climax last weekend, and Saints have looked to steal a march on other admirers by offering him the job as preparations are made for next term.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 20/05/2025
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