Southampton warned over Gary O'Neil appointment - Sport Republic have "a massive decision" to make | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on Gary O'Neil's Portsmouth background

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Gary O’Neil has emerged as a front-runner to potentially take over at Southampton amid their search for a new manager.

It has been reported by The Telegraph's Mike McGrath that the former Wolves boss is in the frame to take charge at St Mary’s after the sacking of Will Still last week - however, it’s his background as a Portsmouth player that could prove a big stumbling block with supporters.

The 42-year-old spent seven years as part of the first-team squad at Fratton Park, and came through their academy system, making almost 200 appearances.

O’Neil is currently out of work, having departed Molineux last December, but it remains to be seen whether he will be willing to take the step down to the Championship to take over Southampton.

Gary O’Neil appointment at Southampton deemed unlikely due to Portsmouth connections

When asked about O’Neil’s history with the club’s bitter rivals Portsmouth, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders claimed it’s already put him on the back foot with supporters, even before an official appointment.

He believes it’s unlikely the ex-Wolves boss will take over, despite the limited pool of potential managers available.

“I think it’d put a lot of the fans off,” Sanders told Football League World.

“They’re all going through his tweets already and digging up the tweets he’s done over the years, even from when he played in derbies against us.

“Look, I’m not convinced he ends up the Saints manager - that’s just my honest opinion.

“I know he’s the favourite, but there’s a limited pool of managers you can go for, that’s the big thing now.

“Really, really limited, so who do they go for? I think they have a massive decision to make.

“Gary O’Neil has done okay, but I'm not massively sold on him.

"The Saints fans won’t take it too well.”

Southampton have endured a difficult start to life back in the Championship, having been relegated last season from the Premier League in abject fashion.

Will Still was appointed as manager in the summer, but the 33-year-old has already been dismissed due to the team’s poor form.

He oversaw just two wins from his 13 league games in charge, which left the club hovering just above the relegation zone.

The Saints will be hoping to appoint his permanent replacement during the November international break, with their next fixture coming on the 22nd, with a trip to Charlton Athletic, where former boss Nathan Jones - who is flourishing with the London outfit - will be in opposition.

Gary O’Neil will have to win the fans over to succeed at Southampton

Southampton supporters are already frustrated with the club due to how poor the start to this season has been.

Bringing in O’Neil has the potential to make matters worse instead of better, and the former Wolves boss will have to do a lot of work to get fans onside for the start of a potential tenure.

Of course, a couple of wins would go down well, if he were to be appointed, but if he has the kind of start that Still had then it could get quite toxic quite quickly.

This is a massively important appointment for the Southampton owners, and it would be a big risk to bring in someone to this situation that will immediately have fans against him.