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Will Still has been dismissed from his role at Southampton after only 16 matches in charge.
The Saints find themselves in a relegation battle following a 2-0 home defeat to Preston, placing them in 21st position.
Will Still has been let go by SouthamptonCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Still joined Southampton last summer from Lens after spending seven years there.
However, his expected transition into English football has lasted merely three months before he was let go by the struggling team.
He managed just 13 league matches, securing only two victories and suffering five defeats.
Following a streak of three losses, the Saints' board decided to part ways with the 33-year-old manager.
A statement from the club read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that we have parted ways with Men’s First Team Manager Will Still this evening.
“Rubén Martinez, Clément Lemaitre, and Carl Martin have also left their roles at the club.
“Men’s Under-21s Head Coach Tonda Eckert will take over as interim manager.
“Group Technical Director Johannes Spors stated: “Will is a wonderful person who dedicated himself to improving performances and results.
“Unfortunately, that process has taken longer than any of us hoped. By making this change now, we believe it gives us the best opportunity to turn things around this season and rise up the league table.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Will, Rubén, Clément, and Carl for their contributions and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Still anticipated a battle for his position following the loss to Preston.
He said: “I understand our league standing and how it appears to outsiders. I’m not going to give up or feel sorry for myself.
“I will continue to fight for as long as I’m here. I’m not expecting an immediate fix; you can’t just come into a situation like this and make everything perfect with a snap of your fingers.
“We don’t need to look beyond our own walls. We have plenty of talent within that dressing room.
“There’s no point in making excuses or claiming ‘this isn’t fair’ or ‘isn’t nice’. We need to toughen up and move forward. It’s a delicate environment.
“The players are struggling with their confidence during matches.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Will Still sacked by Southampton?
Will Still was dismissed after a poor run of results, which included only two wins in 13 league matches, leaving the team in a relegation battle.
Who will manage Southampton on an interim basis?
Tonda Eckert, the head coach of the Men’s Under-21s team, will take charge of the team on an interim basis.
What did the club's statement say regarding Will Still's departure?
The club's statement expressed gratitude for Will Still's efforts and acknowledged that the process of improving team performance took longer than expected.
