Still will be trusted to nurture young talents, developing them into players who can get Saints promoted to the Premier League and keep them there.
"You can either manage that with the size of the squad, by using many players, or you can make sure that you have players that regenerate very fast," Spors told us in March.
"Not that older players can't do that, they absolutely can - but it's a bit easier the younger they are.
"The best thing that can happen for us is that we develop players, and then we can decide if we want to use the revenue or if we want to keep the quality of the players."
Southampton's first signing, German youth international defender Joshua Quarshie, is a sign of where their recruitment plans could head this summer.
Joshua Quarshie, 20, is Southampton's first signing of the summer.Joshua Quarshie, 20, is Southampton's first signing of the summer. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) READ: Spors sets out Southampton's style of play and recruitment plans
Still has a solid track record of developing defenders. In January, two centre-backs he had worked closely with were sold to Premier League clubs for a combined £50.2million.
Wolves signed Emmanuel Agbadou from Stade de Reims for £16.6million, and Manchester City paid £33.6million for RC Lens' Abdukodir Khusanov.
Will Still on the importance of Emmanuel Agbadou and Marshall Munetsi for Wolves 💪 pic.twitter.com/IOk1E05UCq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2025
Khusanov had already made 15 first-team appearances at Lens before Still arrived, but the Uzbek transformed into a €40million player under his tutelage.
When both Khusanov and former Saints defender Kevin Danso departed for the Premier League in January, they were replaced by youth.
Sierra Leone's talented teenage defender Juma Bah came in on loan from Manchester City and played 10 out of 15 possible games.
Bosnia youth international Nidal Celik, 18, was also signed, but did not play a game, and Kyllian Antonio, 17, travelled with the first team more regularly.
Still will need to navigate a similar defensive situation this summer with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek likely on their way out of St Mary's.
Poland international Bednarek has an active £6million relegation release clause, and Harwood-Bellis is reportedly attracting Premier League interest.
Young or old, pragmatic Still will look to improve all of his Southampton players by playing to their strengths, rather than fitting round pegs into square holes.Southampton average squad age compared to Will Still's squadsSouthampton's average squad age compared to Will Still's squads (Image: SDE) Still gave seven academy players their first team debut while at Reims, and some of those have since become key players for the Northern French club.
The Belgian-born English coach has walked into a club brimming with young players looking to make the jump up to senior level.
READ: Southampton starlet ready for senior football but in no rush
While the first team endured their worst campaign in recent memory, the academy enjoyed success after success.
The under-18s narrowly missed out on a league title, finishing second, two points behind winners Aston Villa, denying them a shot at a national final.
And the under-21s did reach a final. Under the guidance of Calum McFarlane, who started the season as 18s boss, they qualified for the Premier League 2 play-off final.
Andy Goldie pictured ahead of Thursday's Premier League 2 play-off final at Manchester CityAndy Goldie pictured ahead of Thursday's Premier League 2 play-off final at Manchester City (Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC) READ: Southampton academy chief details why this season has been 'massive'
While they fell to the machine of Manchester City, losing 2-0 at their Joie Stadium, it marked the end of an incredible academy season.
Southampton smashed their target for minutes played by academy players, largely thanks to Tyler Dibling's emergence, and will reassess their goals for this season.
Four academy players made their senior debuts, and some club higher-ups believe three or four youth team players can make a mark on the first team this term.
Jay Robinson and Joachim Kayi Sanda stand out above the others, and Still will evaluate the talented young options available to him during pre-season.