We’re taking a look at five Southampton manager candidates after Saints boss Will Still was sacked after just five months in charge.
Still, 33, was appointed in May after a successful spell in France with Lens and Reims.
But his move to the South Coast has ended with just two wins from 13 Championship games.
Saints lost 2-0 at home to Preston North End at the weekend. Booed off at full time, the result saw them drop to 21st in the table.
With fans furious and the side losing four of their last five, the decision was taken to part ways with Still.
Southampton Sack Manager Will Still After 16 Games
Along with Still, coaches Ruben Martinez, Clement Lemaitre and Carl Martin have also departed.
Under-21s boss Tonda Eckert has taken charge on an interim basis.
In a statement on the Southampton website, technical director Johannes Spors said:Â “Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results.
“Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked.
“By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.
“I would like to thank Will, Ruben, Clement and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future.”
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League with just 12 points last season.
Since winning the play-off final against Leeds last year, they have won just four league games from their past 51.
📊 Sports Republic’s Southampton have stumped up just four wins in the past 17 months#saintsfc pic.twitter.com/mOHUq5pEco
— The Saint Centre (@TheSaintCentre) October 21, 2025
Five Southampton Manager Candidates Who Could Replace Will Still
Below, we have picked out five of the top candidates for the vacant Southampton manager position.
Russell Martin
Currently the bookies’ favourite to be the next Southampton manager, Russell Martin has been heavily linked with a return to St. Mary’s.
A young and innovate coach with a lot of energy, he already knows the club, guiding the Saints to promotion via the playoffs in 2024.
With plenty of Championship pedigree, he is a proven manager at that level, and has a great affinity with many of the current squad.
However, Martin’s last stint ended in disaster in the Premier League. And his reputation has only been further damaged by a terrible tenure at Rangers.
Fans wanted him out last time, and his re-appointment is certain to divide supporters if it happens.
Ralph Hasenhüttl
Next up is another former boss who many have discussed possibly returning.
Known for his energetic, high-pressing football and passion on the touchline, Ralph Hasenhuttl was loved by fans during his time on the South Coast.
The Austrian was known as the ‘Alpine Klopp’, and kept Southampton in the Premier League on a shoe-string budget under the club’s former owner Gao Jisheng.
But by the end of his time at the club, Ralph and his players looked tired.
His high-octane style demands huge commitment and effort from the players, and the Saints suffered several injury crises as a result.
Bringing him back could also feel like a step backwards for a club desperate to move on from what has been a disastrous recent period.
Michael Carrick
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick is another name in the mix.
A proven winner at the highest level as a player, Carrick has been developing steadily as a coach.
Likely to be part of a longer-term project, he could be the man to help the Saints re-build and start afresh.
But having failed to achieve promotion at Middlesbrough, questions over his tactical flexibility remain.
Southampton will want to bounce back quickly, and may not give him enough time to build from scratch.
Brendan Rodgers
A coach with experience at Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City, Brendan Rodgers would be some appointment.
The Northern Irishman has been hugely successful and would signal an ambitious move from Saints.
But such a big name would only increase the pressure and expectation on an underperforming squad.
And it remains to be seen if Rodgers would even be interested in a move to St. Mary’s.
Lee Carsley
And last but not least, we have Lee Carsley.
The England Under-21s boss is an expert at developing young players, and has worked with several current Southampton stars.
He would bring discipline and structure to the Saints, and create a clear identity.
But Carsley is unproven at senior club level. The demands of the Championship are vastly different to age-grade international football.
And while he may be a superb option long-term, Southampton need points on the board immediately.
