"I watched him on Sky Sports recently" - Exclusive: Southampton FC urged to appoint 32-year-old | OneFootball

The Saints have reportedly held advanced talks with the 32-year-old.

Will Still is moving closer to becoming the next boss of Southampton FC.

The Anglo-Belgian announced after his RC Lens side's last league game of the season that he will leave the club to return to the United Kingdom this summer.

His girlfriend, Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, was diagnosed with cancer back in March, and the 32-year-old hinted that this was a key part of the reason why he felt it was necessary to cross back over to the other side of the English Channel.

Unsurprisingly, given the success that he has had coaching in France, Still quickly appeared on the radars of a number of clubs. The former Sunderland target was suddenly being eyed by Southampton, and talks soon began.

It was reported on Monday that Still was in advanced talks to lead the Saints in the Championship next season. They have gone more than six weeks without a permanent boss since they made the decision to part ways with Ivan Juric once their relegation was confirmed.

The technical director for Southampton's ownership group, Johannes Spor, reportedly wants someone with experience of managing in England.

Will Still backed to be Southampton success

While Still does not have any experience at all of managing first-teams in this country, his fluent command of the language and understanding of the footballing culture of the nation should serve him well if he were to takeover at St Mary's.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that, even without knowing the exact challenges that English football throws up, the 32-year-old would be a fantastic option for the Saints to go after.

"Will Still obviously being linked with Southampton, a good option that would be for the Saints," Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

"I watched him on Sky Sports recently (talking about) his tactical detail and what kind of job he has done. You have to say that he would be a really, really good appointment for Southampton. Someone new, a fresh face coming in. I think that would be a fantastic appointment for them."

Will Still's reputation should serve him well if Southampton move goes through

Still gained infamy with Stade Reims, who he led on a brilliant unbeaten run in the 2023/24 campaign. Despite being the club's first-team boss, he didn't have the requisite coaching badges for the position and thus the club was fined £22,000 per game by Ligue 1.

This, and his stories of how he developed his tactical understanding by playing the video game Football Manager, quickly endeared him to supporters from across the world.

Even though Southampton would be the first English club he has taken charge of, the supporters should feel they have some form of pre-existing connection with him because of his notoriety. That should give him more time and leeway with those in the stands to implement his methods, if he is brought in.