Southampton ANNOUNCE Will Still as new manager one hour before final game of the season vs Arsenal
Saints have confirmed their appointment of the Belgian-born English coach, 32, on a three-year deal and the young boss has already targeted promotion.
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Southampton confirmed Will Still as their new manager
Credit: Getty
The announcement came just an hour before kick-off in their final game of the dismal season at home to Arsenal.
Russell Martin led the south coast side up through the play-offs last year but was dismissed in December, with Southampton going on to be relegated earlier than any club in Premier League history.
Southampton had been targeting their former assistant Danny Rohl, who will leave Sheffield Wednesday this summer.
But there is competition for the German who is taking time to make a decision on his future, causing Saints to move elsewhere.
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Still, who wanted to become a coach after playing the videogame Football Manager in his youth, recently announced his decision to leave Lens in France where he also managed Stade de Reims as the youngest manager in Europe's top five leagues.
He said: 'I'm extremely proud and excited to have joined Southampton.
"There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special.
'The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive and, all together, I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive future for the team.
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'I can't wait to meet you, the fans. I look forward to hearing you in voice, and feeling the energy and belief at St Mary's and beyond.
'I'm eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League.'
Still will be in attendance at St Mary's for the home clash with the Gunners.
Saints new technical director, Johannes Spors, said: 'Will is a young, innovative manager who has already gained significant experience throughout his career, and we have been extremely impressed both by his track record and our conversations with him.
'What was very apparent in our discussions was the clarity of his philosophy and the identity he wants his teams to have, but also his willingness and ability to adapt to different situations as they present themselves, which will be an important quality in the Championship next season.
'We were very impressed by his personality and his values, and we feel he will be an excellent fit for the culture we are looking to build at Staplewood.'
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Will Still's managerial record
Lierse
6 October 2017 to 2 December 2017 - P9 W7 D1 L1 GD+7 Win % 78
Beerschot
19 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 - P15 W6 D2 L7 GD+2 Win % 40
Reims
13 October 2022 to 2 May 2024 - P65 W25 D19 L21 GD+11 Win % 38
Lens
10 June 2024 to 18 May 2025 - P38 W17 D8 L13 GD+6 Win % 45
TOTAL
P127 W55 D30 L42 GD+26 Win % 43
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