Southampton urged to 'show real ambition' by appointing ex-Liverpool and Celtic manager to succeed Will Still | OneFootball

Southampton have had their next manager outlined

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...

Southampton have been told to pursue a move to appoint Brendan Rodgers as manager if the opportunity presents itself.

The Saints are still on the lookout for a new boss after dismissing Will Still shortly before the November international break, after the 33-year-old won just two of the 13 Championship matches he oversaw.

Multiple candidates have been linked with taking over at St. Mary’s, with former Wolves and Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil reportedly in advanced talks about taking over at one point. However, his prior history with arch-rivals Portsmouth may have ultimately scuppered those plans.

Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær admitted to Sky Sports that he's "open" to a move to a club "mid-Championship and up”, which would highlight him as a potential option for the Saints to look at in the current moment.

Southampton backed to bring Brendan Rodgers in as new manager

Recently, it has appeared that Southampton’s U21s boss, Tonda Eckert, could be set to be given the main job at St. Mary’s permanently, after taking over following Still’s departure.

Whilst the 32-year-old has won his first two matches in charge, a lack of experience has been expressed as a serious concern from the Saints’ faithful.

Former Celtic and Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers was reportedly shortlisted by Southampton and is still among the bookies' list of managers to take over the job.

With this in mind, Football League World’s Southampton fan pundit, Martin Sanders, has urged his club to try and pursue Rodgers if the opportunity to hire him presents itself.

“I would definitely try if there's an opportunity they can get him in,” stated Martin. “I'm not convinced they are speaking or talking to anyone at the moment.

“A lot of fans down here really like the thought of Solskjær. I think Rodgers would be one of the outright fans' favourites. If they wanted to show real ambition, someone like Brendan Rodgers would prove that.

“I think he's the sort of man that would get respect, knows the game, would get the team organised, everything that's required.

“He ticks every box for me. I think the biggest problem with him is whether you get enough control over transfers with the owners.”

Brendan Rodgers may hold out for a higher-profile job

Southampton have the resources and facilities of a club that has spent much of their recent history in the Premier League, which makes taking over as their manager an attractive prospect.

However, Rodgers has experienced much top-flight success in his career with the likes of Swansea City, Liverpool, Leicester City and Celtic, which may make him feel like he still has the credentials to operate at a higher level than the Championship.

Although he has recently been dismissed by Celtic, the Northern Irishman won the last two league titles north of the border and has enjoyed domestic cup success with Leicester in the past.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be unlikely for Premier League clubs to enquire about his services at some point, which might be what Rodgers is holding out for. In this scenario, Southampton would fall just short and may have to continue with their plan of handing Eckert the job permanently.

Supporters will naturally hope that isn't the case, of course, with an ambitious and experienced managerial hire demanded in order to maximise what remains a talented Championship squad capable of competing for promotion back to the Premier League, while the financial resources are also in place to further aid that bid in January.