Southampton Identify Lens Manager Will Still as Top Candidate for Vacant Position
According to a report from BBC Sport, Southampton have identified Will Still, the current manager of French side Lens, as their leading candidate for the vacant position at St Mary’s Stadium. The 32-year-old, born in Belgium to English parents, announced last weekend that he is leaving Lens to move back to the UK.
The move is complicated by negotiations that need to take place to free Still from his contract at Lens, which runs until 2027. As BBC Sport reports, Lens could be due compensation for the loss of their manager. Still’s decision to leave Lens was motivated by a desire to return home, with his partner Emma Saunders, a presenter on Sky Sports, recovering from encephalitis, an infection of the brain.
“For multiple reasons, the main reason behind my decision is that I need to go back home,” Still told reporters on Saturday. As BBC Sport notes, Still would be a permanent replacement for Ivan Juric, who was sacked in April after the club were relegated from the Premier League with a record seven games left to play.
Still has built an impressive football career, starting in Belgium at Lierse and Beershot before moving to France. He became the youngest coach in Europe’s top five leagues when he was appointed by Reims, aged 30, in October 2022. He joined Lens on a three-year deal in June and led them to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1. His brothers Nicolas and Edward, who are assistants at Lens, will likely be impacted by his potential departure.
As reported by BBC Sport, Lens have yet to confirm Still’s departure, and the club has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, Southampton were previously linked with a move for Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, but the compensation package to move to a club within the same division is thought to be too expensive.
The potential appointment of Still as Southampton manager marks a significant development in the club’s search for a new manager. As BBC Sport notes, Still’s experience and success at a young age make him an attractive candidate for the role. The news will be welcomed by Southampton fans, who have been eagerly awaiting the appointment of a new manager following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
In related news, the BBC Sport report also noted that Still’s partner Emma Saunders is recovering from encephalitis, an infection of the brain. The news highlights the challenges that Still has faced in recent times and his desire to return to the UK to support his partner during this difficult period.
The potential impact of Still’s appointment on Southampton’s future performances remains to be seen. However, as reported by BBC Sport, his experience and tactical acumen make him a strong candidate for the role. The club’s fans will be eagerly awaiting confirmation of his appointment and the impact that he will have on the team in the coming season.
For more information on this story and other football news, visit BBC Sport.
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