"I have heard" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Southampton FC, Will Still news | OneFootball

David Prutton believes Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl's experience could give him the edge as Southampton search for a new manager.

Southampton are on the hunt for a new permanent manager as they prepare for life back in the EFL next season.

The Saints have struggled in the top flight this season, with six games remaining to collect two points and avoid becoming the worst team in Premier League history.

The club parted company with Croatian manager Ivan Juric after a defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur confirmed their relegation earlier this month, and Simon Rusk was named interim manager until the end of the season.

Therefore, Southampton will be searching for a new permanent manager to lead a promotion push in the Championship during the 2025/26 campaign this summer.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior have both been linked with the role, while Southampton have also been said to be keen on RC Lens manager Will Still.

David Prutton weighs in on Southampton manager hunt

Sky Sports presenter, David Prutton, spoke exclusively to Football League World about the vacancy at St Mary's, and suggested that Rohl could have the edge over the other candidates given his experience in the English second tier.

"Will Still or Danny Rohl? Both have been very good with fledgling reputations," Prutton said.

"There is that connection between Danny Rohl and Southampton because of the job he has done in the Championship this season.

"As for Will Still, I have heard very, very good things about him. I know he was linked with a couple of Championship clubs in the not-too-distant past.

"Maybe Danny just edges it at the moment given his experience in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday. Will is still a very young manager, of course, and has taken the opportunity to manage abroad, where he has shown he is capable with a couple of different squads.

"I think whoever comes in, there is going to be a fundamental change in approach, I feel, and also mentality, because as things stand, this team could be going down with the record for having collected the fewest points."

Southampton could finally get their man

If Southampton do appoint Rohl, as Prutton has suggested they may do, it would mean they finally complete a deal for a manager they were linked with before they brought in Juric last year.

Compensation was a major stumbling block when the Saints targeted the Sheffield Wednesday boss earlier this season, with a £4 million release clause reportedly required if a Premier League club was going to take the German away from Hillsborough.

According to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Southampton's relegation to the Championship means they will only need to pay half of that release clause, which could open the door for an appointment to be made.

Rohl has appeared to be growing frustrated working with chairman Dejphon Chansiri at Sheffield Wednesday, so it would be no surprise if he welcomed an opportunity to take the reins at a club with one of the biggest budgets in the division during the summer.

Southampton appear to have a few young, upcoming managers on their shortlist at present, so it will be interesting to see who they decide to bring in, as the chosen candidate will have a big job on their hands to reinstate a winning mentality within the dressing room next term.