Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit outlines Southampton FC 'gamble' as Johannes Spors stance emerges | OneFootball

Don Goodman has reacted to the news that Southampton could appoint a German manager as a replacement for Will Still.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has admitted Southampton’s approach to appointing a German manager will be a “gamble” amid their struggles in the Championship.

The Saints are still searching for a replacement after parting company with Will Still last weekend following their 2-0 home defeat to Preston North End.

It meant the club had tasted three successive losses and were winless in five second-tier outings.

Southampton currently sit 21st in the Championship table and just three points above the bottom three, a situation that couldn’t have been foreseen given the Saints’ strong budget and their possession of parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League last term.

While journalist Alan Nixon had reported Russell Martin was “on standby” for a sensational return to St Mary’s, it has now been revealed Saints technical director Johannes Spors is looking to Germany for their next manager, as per the Daily Echo.

The Saints have had a history of appointing foreign managers, with Ralph Hassenhuttl their last to come from Germany, while Ruben Selles and Ivan Juric have followed in his footsteps.

Southampton’s greatest times in recent history came under a German coach, so it will be intriguing to see if the club follows through with this process and whether a new boss from those parts can transform their fortunes.

With this news in mind, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has spoken to FLW about whether Southampton’s approach is the correct one to take, and how big of a gamble it could be taking on a foreign coach.

Don Goodman outlines Southampton “gamble” over German manager search

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that any managerial appointment will be a “gamble” given Southampton's precarious position, but believes the hierarchy have to get a managerial appointment correct after so many previous failures.

Goodman said: “I think initially every manager that you appoint is a gamble, whether that be a foreign or British manager.

“Southampton need a bit of stability when you look at the lack of stability they’ve had since they let Ralph Hasenhuttl go. Nathan Jones, Ruben Selles, Russell Martin, Ivan Juric and now Will Still.

"They’re clearly making wrong decisions at the top of the football club, so the law of averages tells you that they have to get one right sooner rather than later.

“There have been some fantastic guys that have come from foreign climbs, hit the ground running and done well, but it’s a gamble whoever they’re going to appoint.”

Southampton appointment of a foreign coach is risky

As Southampton currently sit within touching distance of the relegation trapdoor, it does seem like the hierarchy is playing with fire by not attempting to lure a boss with a good chunk of Championship experience to their name.

It’s not to say a German replacement won’t have an impact, but there will be a risk that his style of play and demands on the players won’t suit the division, and that could leave Southampton in a bigger hole to try and climb out of in the coming months.

Instead, the club should be eyeing up a replacement who knows what it takes to be successful in this division.

The likes of Tony Mowbray, Mark Robins and Frank Lampard have been touted for the position, and while it’s unclear whether they would be attracted to this kind of project, those are the sorts of figures that should be coming to the surface.

For now, a safe pair of hands is required to at least make sure the club isn’t drawn into a relegation battle, and if they can bring in someone who has a pedigree of getting clubs towards the top end of the table, then the squad could thrive as there are some quality options that can still do damage in the second-tier.