Southampton have sacked manager Will Still after a poor run of results left the club close to the Championship relegation zone. The 33-year-old, who was the youngest manager in the English Football League, departs just five months into a three-year contract.
Still won only two of his 13 league matches in charge, with a sole victory since a stoppage-time opening-day win against Wrexham. The Saints lost 2-0 at home to Preston on Saturday, making it three consecutive league defeats after losses at Blackburn and Bristol City.
Under-21s head coach Tonda Eckert has taken interim charge. Still's assistants Rubén Martínez and Clément Lemaitre, as well as Carl Martin, who was at the club before Still's appointment, have also left.
Technical director Johannes Spors said: “Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results. Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.”
Meanwhile, defender Nathan Wood apologised for verbally abusing supporters after Saturday's match. “I’m regretful that I let my emotions get the better of me, and I take full accountability for them,” he said. “I will learn from this and will do my best to improve our performances on the pitch.”
Still’s assistant manager, Paul Trollope, and first-team coach, Adam Lallana, remain at the club.
