Southampton have confirmed the departure of manager Will Still after a brief tenure that culminated in Championship play-off final disappointment at Wembley.
The 31-year-old Belgian-English coach, who arrived at St Mary's with considerable fanfare, saw his reign cut short following Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Leeds United that denied Saints an immediate return to the Premier League.
A Short-Lived Era Ends
Still's appointment in February had generated significant excitement among the Southampton faithful, with the young manager having built his reputation during an impressive spell at French club Reims. However, despite guiding Southampton to the play-off final, the club's hierarchy have decided to make a change after failing to achieve promotion.
The official club statement confirmed: "Southampton Football Club can confirm that Will Still has left his role as first-team manager. We would like to thank Will for his efforts during his time at St Mary's and wish him well for the future."
What Went Wrong for Still at Southampton?
Despite showing flashes of the tactical acumen that made him one of Europe's most talked-about young managers, Still struggled to achieve consistent results during his four-month stint. Key factors in his departure include:
- Failure to secure automatic promotion despite a strong squad
- The devastating Wembley defeat to Leeds United
- Inconsistent performances throughout his tenure
- Pressure from owners seeking immediate Premier League return
Search for Successor Begins Immediately
With pre-season preparations looming, Southampton's sporting director Rasmus Ankersen now faces the urgent task of identifying Still's replacement. Several names are already circulating in football circles as potential candidates for the hot seat.
The new appointment will be crucial for a club that must now regroup and mount another promotion challenge next season, with parachute payments diminishing and financial pressure increasing.
Southampton supporters will be watching closely as the club enters another period of transition, hoping the next managerial appointment can finally deliver the Premier League football they crave.
