SOUTHAMPTON hope to appoint Will Still as their new manager this week.
have held extensive talks with the 32-year-old, and wants to be closer to family in England.
, and the south coast side hope he will be confirmed in time to attend their final Premier League game of the season.
Saints, who were relegated in early April, host on the final day of the season this weekend.
The club also held talks with Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.
Rohl had been the No1 choice for some time, but wants to take more time to make a decision over his future.
The German, a former assistant manager to Ralph Hasenhuttl at St. Mary’s, has interest from his home country which could prove more attractive than a Championship job.
Saints were reluctant to be left waiting and moved quickly to land Still, who has also managed Reims in Ligue 1 as well as Lierse and Beerschot in Belgium.
Lens are not owed any compensation should Still leave, though the same cannot be said for his coaching staff, which include brothers Edward and Nicolas.
Talks over compensation for his coaching staff are ongoing and remain the only sticking point before the appointment can be confirmed.
Saints have endured a horror season following promotion from the Championship last year.
Russell Martin, who guided them back to the top flight, was sacked in December while his replacement, Ivan Juric, was axed once relegation was confirmed.
Interim boss Simon Rusk has taken charge since then and managed to get the club past Derby’s all-time low points record of 11.
They will, however, take some unwelcome records back to the Championship, becoming the first club to be relegated with seven games of a season left to be played.
