Southampton have axed manager Will Still with the club teetering just three points above the Championship relegation zone after 13 games. The Saints’ fifth league defeat of the season was a bitter pill to swallow on Saturday, as they suffered a 2-0 home loss to Preston North End. The final whistle was greeted with a chorus of boos from disgruntled Southampton fans and jeers directed at the beleaguered manager.
Still found himself on the receiving end of harsh ‘sacked in the morning’ chants before Southampton supporters turned their ire towards the club’s owners, demanding they ‘get out’ of the club. The team are now stuck in a rut, having gone five matches without tasting victory, managing only wins against Sheffield United and Wrexham. Goals from Lewis Dobbin and Mads Fronkjaer-Jensen sealed the win for Preston at St Mary’s.
Still, who held the distinction of being the youngest manager in the English Football League at 33, came on board in the summer. Southampton have announced that Under-21 head coach Tonda Eckert will step in as interim manager.
Ruben Martinez, Clement Lemaitre and Carl Martin, who served as assistants to Still, have also left the club. “Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results,” said technical director Johannes Spors in a statement.
“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.”, reports the Mirror.
“I would like to thank Will, Rubén, Clément and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future.”
Southampton find themselves trailing Championship pacesetters Coventry City by 16 points and face the prospect of slipping into the relegation zone should they suffer defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening.
After Saturday’s devastating reverse against Preston, defender Nathan Wood was spotted directing angry words towards supporters as he left the field.
The centre-half has subsequently apologised for his conduct. “I’m regretful that I let my emotions get the better of me, and I take full accountability for them,” he admitted. “I will learn from this and will do my best to improve our performances on the pitch.”
