Southampton FC manager news: Tonda Eckert, Gary O'Neil, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer links | OneFootball

The latest surrounding the Saints' search for a new manager

Southampton are still on the hunt for a new manager following Will Still's sacking.

The 33-year-old was dismissed after only five months in the St Mary's dugout, recording just two wins in the 13 Championship games he oversaw.

Still's reign was yet another failed managerial stint under Southampton's current owners, Sport Republic. Of the six permanent managers they have appointed since their takeover in January 2022, only Russell Martin has been anything close to a success.

Still became just the second of those six to win more than one league game during their time at the club, highlighting how dire the recent head coaches have been at St Mary's.

Therefore, this next appointment had to be bang on, and after two consecutive wins under interim boss Tonda Eckert, all signs are pointing to one option over the coming days.

Here's all the latest surrounding the Saints' search for a new manager.

Tonda Eckert close to being appointed full-time

With the international break still ongoing, Southampton have been able to afford a little more time to find a new manager. Despite this, it seems increasingly likely that they're going in-house.

32-year-old Tonda Eckert has led the Saints to back-to-back wins since he took over, and according to Alex Crook late last week, that may be enough to get him the gig full-time.

The German was brought in this summer to be the club's new U21 manager, after holding assistant roles at the likes of Barnsley and Genoa, but he may be being fast-tracked to his first senior managerial role in the coming days.

After wins against an out-of-form QPR side and basement club Sheffield Wednesday, it could be seen as yet another big risk by Sport Republic, but one that, if it materialises, will be one that they hope can finally pay off.

Gary O'Neil links quieten amid fan backlash

Of the other linked managers, Gary O'Neil seemed the most likely to make the move to St Mary's, as his time out of management closes in on a year.

The 42-year-old emerged as a candidate for the job when Still was sacked, and the two parties were reportedly in advanced talks a few days later.

That was over a week ago now, and around that time, the news was getting poorly received at St Mary's, with fans voicing their opinions on the prospects of O'Neil becoming their manager.

O'Neil hasn't managed below the Premier League yet, so would arguably be a good pickup for any side in the Championship, but given the 42-year-old's history with the Saints' bitter rivals, Portsmouth, making 192 appearances at Fratton Park and being vocal about his love for the club, perhaps Southampton isn't the club for him.

Therefore, it's unsurprising that these links have died down recently, and it's getting increasingly unlikely that O'Neil's return to management will be at St Mary's.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could still be a possibility as Manchester United legend open to managerial return in England

Whilst nothing concrete has come out linking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to a specific club, there's still the potential that the Norwegian boss will end up back in the second tier for the first time since his Cardiff City days shortly.

The former Manchester United player and manager told Sky Sports last week that he's "open" to a move to a club "mid-Championship and up."

Southampton aren't the only side in the second tier on the hunt for a new manager, with Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Swansea City all without men in the dugout ahead of the return to league action this weekend.

Therefore, could Solskjaer be hired by one of those clubs before Saturday? Middlesbrough look out of the running, as Kim Hellberg looks close to being appointed, so that leaves three.

You'd imagine that all three will be wanting a permanent decision by the time the Championship resumes. For Southampton, it's looking like a promotion for Tonda Eckert, but anything could happen, and this certainly is one to keep an eye on as the week progresses.