Ex-Southampton boss Will Still primed for new manager's job | OneFootball

The 33-year-old endured a dismal spell in charge of Saints earlier this season

Southampton can certainly split their Championship season into two parts, having undergone a remarkable resurgence up the table with Tonda Eckert in charge throughout the second half of the campaign.

Indeed, the Saints had gone from January 17th until the end of the regular second tier campaign unbeaten, with their only defeat in that time coming narrowly against the might of Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final on April 25th, despite taking the lead and offering a strong showing of themselves against the Premier League title contenders.

Much was expected of the South Coast outfit at the beginning of the campaign too, though, especially as their season began under the management of the highly-rated Will Still, whose appointment was even confirmed before the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League term.

The 33-year-old had developed a remarkable reputation at such a young age through his exploits in France and Belgium, in particular after it became well-publicised that he hadn't taken up his required coaching badges while in charge of Ligue 1 side, Stade de Reims.

However, a maiden spell in English management proved to be nothing short of a disaster for Still and Southampton, as their post-relegation hangover continued, and he was dismissed after a run of just two wins from the first 13 games of the Championship season following a 2-0 loss to Preston North End on November 1st.

The aforementioned Eckert, who had only been in his post as Under-21s head coach from July 2025, was then handed the reins on an interim, and eventually permanent basis, with the German leading his side into the play-offs, where they will initially take on Middlesbrough in the semi-finals over two legs.

As for Still, though, he has now become linked with yet another vacancy.

Ex-Southampton boss Will Still primed for FC Lorient role after dismal St Mary's tenure

That's because, according to French publication, L'Équipe, the former Southampton boss is among the favourites to take over at FC Lorient ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 season.

Such developments come after it was confirmed in early April that the club's current head manager, Olivier Pantaloni, confirmed he would depart the Stade du Moustoir at the end of the current campaign following a breakdown in relations with the hierarchy in relation to a new contract offer which was placed on the table.

“I had accepted the challenge, which was fantastic, because I felt capable of it," he said.

“But I signed under conditions which clearly showed there were many doubts about me, that the management wasn’t very sure of their choice.”

Pantaloni had guided Les Merlus back to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking last season by winning the Ligue 2 title on 71 points, and they are currently ninth with two matches of 2025/26 to play, having enjoyed an impressive campaign of consolidation.

It has been stated that the appointment of Still is the club's preferred choice at present, whilst also being linked with Sint-Truiden boss, Wouter Vrancken.

The EFL Championship hasn't been kind to the Still family in 2025/26 amid recent Watford developments

It, of course, remains to be seen if the former Saints boss was to be appointed by Lorient and whether it would be a successful decision further down the line.

However, what cannot be argued is that he and his brother, Edward, will not have the fondest of memories of the Championship in 2025/26, with the latter also receiving his P45 from Watford following their 4-0 loss to Coventry City on the final day at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have become infamous for hiring and firing rather quickly under Gino Pozzo's ownership, with the 35-year-old the latest to now be going in search of a new challenge after he followed in the unfortunate footsteps of Paulo Pezzolano and Javi Gracia, both of whom were dismissed or resigned earlier in the season.

Will Still also placed on record why he felt he didn't succeed at St Mary's, although Saints fans have certainly had mixed opinions on such an opinion, especially now they are potentially 270 minutes away from an instant return to the Premier League.