Southampton have sacked manager Will Still after their 2-0 home defeat to Preston North End, which leaves them outside the Championship relegation places by three points
Southampton have sacked Will Still, with the club currently just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone after 13 matches.
The Saints’ fifth league loss of the season came on Saturday, a 2-0 home defeat to Preston North End. The full-time whistle was met with boos from Southampton fans and jeers aimed at the manager.
Still was the subject of brutal ‘sacked in the morning’ chants before Southampton fans took aim at their owners to ‘get out’ of the club.
The team has now gone five games without a victory, only managing wins against Sheffield United and Wrexham. Goals from Lewis Dobbin and Mads Fronkjaer-Jensen secured all three points for Preston at St Mary’s.
Still, who was the youngest manager in the English Football League at 33, joined in the summer. Southampton have confirmed that Under-21 head coach Tonda Eckert will take over as interim manager.
Ruben Martinez, Clement Lemaitre and Carl Martin, who were assistants to Still, have also departed 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.”
“I would like to thank Will, Rubén, Clément and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future.”
Southampton are trailing Championship leaders Coventry City by 16 points and could drop into the bottom three with a defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.
Following Saturday’s bitter loss to Preston, defender Nathan Wood was seen hurling verbal insults at fans as he exited the pitch. The centre-back has since expressed his remorse for his actions.
“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.”