Southampton manager search news: Johannes Spors twist, Tony Mowbray option, Russell Martin stance revealed, Frank Lampard latest | OneFootball

We rounded up the latest news on Southampton's search for a new manager following the departure of Will Still.

Southampton are currently searching for a new manager following the departure of Will Still on Sunday.

Still only took over at Southampton in May following their relegation from the Premier League, and he arrived with a big reputation after successful spells with Reims and Lens in France, but it is fair to say his tenure at St Mary's did not work out.

The 33-year-old won just four of his 16 games in charge of the Saints in all competitions, drawing six and losing six, and he was sacked on Sunday with the club sitting 21st in the Championship table, just three points above the relegation zone, despite being tipped as one of the promotion favourites at the start of the season.

With a trip to Queens Park Rangers and a home game against Sheffield Wednesday to come before the international break, Under-21 manager Tonda Eckert has been placed in interim charge of Southampton following Still's exit, and, as things stand, he looks likely to oversee both of those fixtures.

However, speculation about Still's possible permanent replacement is gathering pace, and we rounded up all the latest news on the Saints' managerial hunt.

4 ? ? Fresh twist emerges as Southampton's Johannes Spors to search German managerial market

A whole host of names have been linked with Southampton in recent days, but it seems they may be keeping a close eye on one specific market.

Saints sporting director Johannes Spors is leading the hunt for Still's successor, and according to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, he is focusing his search on Germany in particular.

It is unclear exactly which German-based managers Spors is considering, but one man who has been ruled out is ex-Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who last managed in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg prior to his departure in May this year.

Rumours about a possible return to St Mary's for Hasenhuttl began to swirl after he was spotted in the stands watching the Saints' 3-1 defeat at Bristol City last month, but it seems he will not be making a comeback to the club he managed between December 2018 and November 2022.

3 ? ? Southampton considering Tony Mowbray option amid Tonda Eckert chance

Eckert is set to take charge of Southampton for their games against QPR and Sheffield Wednesday this week, and it seems positive results in those fixtures could potentially see him land the permanent job.

It was first revealed by The Athletic on Sunday night that Eckert was one of the names in the frame to replace Still, and journalist Alan Nixon claims the Saints' hierarchy are hoping that the 32-year-old can impress during his upcoming audition to make their decision easier.

However, it appears Southampton are also considering other short-term options to help them buy time in their managerial search, with Nixon revealing that ex-Sunderland, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray could be brought in on a temporary basis.

Mowbray has been out of work since being sacked by West Brom in April after winning just five of his 17 games in charge during his second spell at The Hawthorns, but the 61-year-old has plenty of Championship experience under his belt, and the Saints could turn to him if results do not improve under Eckert.

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Russell Martin guided Southampton to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in the 2023-24 season, and he is arguably the only successful appointment Sport Republic have made during their turbulent tenure at St Mary's to date.

Martin was sacked by Scottish giants Rangers last month after a nightmare spell at Ibrox that saw him win just five of his 17 games in charge, but despite that, the Saints are believed to be weighing up a move to bring him back to the South Coast.

While there is a divide within the Southampton hierarchy about whether Martin is the right man for the job, the club's players and staff would reportedly welcome his return, and it has now been revealed that the 39-year-old is interested in making a sensational comeback, less than a year since his dismissal in December.

There have been contrasting reports on whether the Saints are keen on Martin, with Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas describing his potential return as "unlikely", but his name is not going away just yet.

As they begin their hunt for the seventh permanent manager of their reign, Sport Republic are no strangers to drawing up managerial shortlists, and Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is one name who has previously featured prominently.

According to talkSPORT, the Southampton hierarchy have "always been admirers" of Lampard, who was linked with the job in the summer following the sacking of Ivan Juric, while journalist Graeme Bailey has even claimed that the 47-year-old is the club's first choice target to replace Still.

However, with Coventry currently flying high at the top of the Championship after an outstanding start to the season under Lampard, it could be tough for the Saints to prize him away from the CBS Arena at this point.

As well as Eckert, Mowbray, Martin and Lampard, a number of other names have been linked with the vacancy at St Mary's, including Brendan Rodgers, Michael Carrick, Lee Carsley, Gary O'Neil and .