Relegated Southampton appoint Will Still as manager on three-year deal

India Today

25-05-2025

Relegated Premier League side Southampton have confirmed the appointment of 32-year-old Will Still as their new manager on a three-year contract, with the Belgian-born Englishman tasked with guiding the club back to the top flight after a turbulent season.The south-coast club, which endured its earliest-ever relegation from the Premier League following a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in April, wasted no time in securing their next leader. The loss to Spurs sealed Southampton's fate with seven games left to play, leading to the departure of Croatian manager Ivan Juric the following day.advertisementStill, who had been at the helm of French Ligue 1 side Lens, made the decision to leave his position with the club last week, expressing a desire to return to the UK for what promises to be an exciting new chapter at Southampton.
"I'm excited for the opportunity here at Southampton. There is huge potential, and I believe we have the chance to do something special," said Still, who signed a three-year deal on Sunday. "The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive. I'm eager to start building a strong, close-knit group that can ultimately get us back where we belong: in the Premier League."Still takes over from Ivan Juric, whose tenure at St Mary's was marred by the club's catastrophic drop to the Championship. Despite Juric's best efforts, the Saints were unable to avoid relegation, finishing in 19th place. With the task of returning Southampton to Premier League contention in mind, Still brings with him a wealth of experience from his time at Lens, where he made a name for himself with a clear tactical philosophy and impressive leadership.advertisementGroup Technical Director Johannes Spors praised Still's credentials, highlighting his innovative approach and strong leadership qualities. "Will is a young, innovative manager who has already gained significant experience, and we've been extremely impressed with his track record and our conversations with him," Spors remarked. "What stood out most was his clarity of vision and his adaptability. These qualities will be essential as we navigate the Championship next season."Spors also emphasized Still's ability to foster a positive team culture, saying that his values and personality made him a perfect fit for the ambitious new project at Southampton. "We believe he will help us build a clear identity and a positive future for the team," Spors added.The appointment of Still signals a new era for the Saints as they look to bounce back from their relegation nightmare. Fans will be eager to see how he shapes the squad over the summer and builds a team capable of competing at the top of the Championship.Still's departure from Lens was met with appreciation, with the French club releasing a statement praising his contributions. "Will embodied the values of RCL through his resilience, passion, and authenticity," said the club. They also confirmed that Still's brothers, Edward and Nicolas, would be leaving Lens, though it remains unclear whether they will join him at Southampton.Still is expected to be at St Mary's Stadium this Sunday for the Saints' final Premier League fixture of the season against Arsenal.Must Watch