A new contender has just emerged as a ‘potential option’ in Southampton’s search for a new manager

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As Southampton prepare for life in the Championship, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Will Still is now a name the club like for the managerial vacancy at St. Mary’s.

We know for sure that Southampton will be competing in the Championship next season, after suffering a dismal campaign in the Premier League, with their relegation confirmed last weekend.

The Saints started the season with Russell Martin in charge, but parted ways with the young coach in December. They replaced him with Ivan Juric, but have shown absolutely no signs of life since then and could well end up being the worst team in top flight history unless they pick up two points from their final seven games.

Word is, Southampton are looking at Danny Rohl to take over in the summer, with the German coach previously having worked there, and finding himself in fractured circumstances at Sheffield Wednesday.

Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can confirm that another name has been added to that shortlist.

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Will Still on the ‘radar’ for Southampton job

Word comes from EFL Analysis insider Graeme Bailey, who told us that Will Still – who almost joined Sunderland last summer before taking charge at Lens – is “on Southampton’s radar.”

We know Danny Rohl, Liam Rosenior, and Frank Lampard have been discussed, but now, Still is being viewed as a “potential option” for the role.

Any appointment is not expected to take place until the current season is over, with Saints legend Adam Lallana and interim manager Simon Rusk in for the final seven games.

Southampton have ambitious names on their list, and intend to earn promotion again next season at the first time of asking.

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It’s time for Will Still to prove what he can do in England

Will Still has been a popular name among football fans for a while now, largely due to his love for Football Manager, with many believing the simulation game has helped him forge a successful career in the real world.

Of course, there is far more to it than that. Still has worked hard for years, operating as the manager of Preston North End’s academy between 2011-2012 before moving back to Belgium, his place of birth, to take on several roles over the years before rising to prominence in France.

It was Still’s stint with Reims that really caught the attention of those across Europe, with the promising young coach leading the French side to a 14-game unbeaten run which included two draws against Ligue 1 giants PSG.

He did all that despite not even having his full coaching badges yet, a situation that left Reims having to pay a fine every time he stepped into the dugout. Given his success, it was obviously worth the cost.

Still joined Lens last summer, and currently has the French outfit sitting in ninth place, just five points off a top six spot with six games to go.

Regardless of where Lens end up this season, Still remains a hot prospect in the game, and someone multiple English clubs have taken a serious look at in the past. Now, it’s surely time for the 32-year-old to finally make the jump across the Channel and prove himself in the second tier.