42-year-old in pole position to replace Will Still as Southampton boss News: The72 – Football League News

Southampton steps up its management search and emerges as lead candidate, Gary O’Neil The Telegraph.

Southampton are looking for a new boss after parting ways with Will Still. The decision was made in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat against Preston North End last weekend.

Caretaker boss Tonda Eckert oversaw a 2-1 win over QPR this week, buying the Saints some more time in their hunt for the head coach and strengthening his bid for the potential permanent role.

Now, however, a new report from The Telegraph has said that Southampton are stepping up the chase with Gary O’Neil emerging as the main candidate.

The 42-year-old is available and unemployed after being sacked by Wolves last season. He was offered the opportunity to return to Molineux but turned down the job, so it remains to be seen whether the job at St. Mary’s would be of interest to him.

Southampton eye Gary O’Neil dives into new boss hunt

Southampton will weigh up several options in their new boss hunt. With the international break approaching and Eckert getting a win on the board, there may not be the rush or scramble for a replacement that we have seen elsewhere.

The sooner a new boss comes in, the better, so it will be intriguing to see how high O’Neil ranks on the Saints’ shortlist.

The 42-year-old has managed Bournemouth and Wolves so far in his short managerial career. His work with the latter was highly praised and impressed with his tactical adaptability as they fought for survival.

It would be a new challenge to join a Championship team in desperate need of better form. The Saints will be hoping they can salvage another promotion push this season, so the next boss needs to get to work.

Gary O’Neil’s management record (permanent only)

Southampton candidate O’Neil has past Pompey

While O’Neil is a respected manager and a positive target, O’Neil’s past at Southampton’s arch-rivals Portsmouth could provide food for thought.

The London-born coach made his breakthrough in senior football at Pompey. He came through their youth academy and although he was loaned out for a while, he became a mainstay of the first team there.

He spent seven years of his senior career under contract with Portsmouth, where he made a total of 192 appearances.

It would be interesting to see how Saints fans would receive his appointment as a result. Sport Republic has already been the subject of vitriol from supporters, so it could be seen as a risky move if they try to get fans back on board.

Meanwhile, caretaker boss Eckert is overseeing a clash with Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. It remains to be seen whether he will be at the helm after the end of the international break.