Southampton eye ex-West Brom boss Tony Mowbray to replace Will Still | OneFootball

Southampton are considering bringing in the experienced manager on a short-term deal

Southampton have explored a short-term move for Tony Mowbray as manager.

The Saints have suffered a miserable start to the 2025/26 campaign, winning just two of their opening 13 Championship matches, which sees them sat 21st in the table and three points outside the relegation zone.

This worrying form led to Will Still receiving the sack just five months into his job as manager which has subsequently left Southampton on the lookout for a new boss.

Rumours have immediately started to swirl about how that might be, with it reported by talkSPORT that players within the South Coast outfit’s camp would welcome a return for previous boss Russell Martin.

Journalist Graeme Bailey stated via X that the Saints had Coventry City manager Frank Lampard and Stoke City boss Mark Robins on their shortlist, alongside Gary O’Neil and Steven Gerrard.

Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas has suggested that Southampton’s sporting director, Johannes Spors, is looking towards the German market and is willing to take his time to find the right man for the job.

There still doesn’t appear to be a concrete favourite though and for the moment, U21s head coach Tonda Eckert will take charge of the team on an interim basis.

Tony Mowbray eyed up as short-term Will Still replacement

With Eckert’s lack of experience in mind, the Saints are rumoured to be considering making a short-term addition to their managerial staff.

According to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon channels, Southampton have explored a move for Tony Mowbray on a short-term deal.

It is stated that he is available and could be called upon if results don’t improve under Eckert. The report also includes the claim that there is some opposition within Southampton to a Martin return.

The 61-year-old has been out of work since May, when he parted ways with West Bromwich Albion after just four months at the Hawthorns.

Mowbray has a wealth of experience in the second-tier, having taken charge of clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sunderland and Middlesbrough over the past 15 years.

Tony Mowbray could help steady the ship at Southampton

As previously mentioned, Southampton are willing to take their time to ensure that they select the right man for the job, after making Still the fifth permanent manager they have let go of in the last three years.

Whilst this search goes on, an experienced operator such as Mowbray would help calm the atmosphere down at St. Mary’s and allow for a possible reset in their fortunes.

This would prevent them slipping further down the table and perhaps even see the Saints edge higher up it, all whilst giving Spors more time to finalise his preferred candidate for the main role.