Next Southampton manager odds: Who will succeed Will Still?

The third managerial change of the Championship campaign has taken place on the south coast, as Southampton parted company with Will Still on Sunday night. The Belgian-born Brit leaves Saints in 21st position in England’s second tier.

Having suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, the Hampshire outfit’s hierarchy has decided to make a switch in the dugout to rectify a horrible start to life back in one of the most competitive football divisions in the world.

It’s still early in the season, but Saints will look at Luton last season and hope to avoid a double relegation like the Hatters.

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So, who’s next in the St Mary’s hotseat to help Southampton avoid being suckered into yet another basement battle?

Russell Martin was the man who guided Saints back into the top tier, with a Wembley win against Leeds in the playoff final only last year, and he’s the favourite to succeed Still at Southampton (2/1) with the bookmakers.

Having earned promotion in his first season, he also guided the club to a record-breaking unbeaten run of 25 games in the 2023/24 campaign. However, he left Saints with one win in 16 Premier League matches, which left them bottom of the league.

His reputation may have also taken a hit north of the border, as Rangers’ shortest-serving manager in history with a tenure spanning just 123 days, leading the Gers to just five wins in 17 matches in all competitions.

Former Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick (11/2 @ William Hill) initially steered the club away from relegation, having taken over as Boro boss with the club 21st in the Championship, ironically in the same spot as Saints are right now, before a fourth-place finish.

He lost his job back in June after missing out on the playoffs before eighth and tenth place finishes in successive seasons, having also guided the club into the EFL Cup semi-finals, where they lost to eventual runners-up Chelsea despite winning the first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers (8/1 @ BetVictor) is an intriguing option, after the Northern Irishman walked away from Celtic for the second time after the Hoops fell eight points behind league leaders Hearts. However, uncertainty surrounding his alleged conduct whilst in Glasgow may put off potential future employers.

Following a 3-1 defeat to the Jambos at Tynecastle the Sunday before last, the 52-year-old was criticised in a scathing statement by Celtic shareholder Dermot Desmond. 

Whether the former Leicester and Liverpool boss is willing to drop into the Championship also remains to be seen.

Ralph Hassenhuttl (17/2) spent four years in the dugout at St Mary’s, and is considered the bookies’ fourth favourite to return to Saints after previously becoming the first Austrian to manage in the Premier League.

Despite keeping the club in the top flight in his first season, he oversaw the joint-worst loss in Premier League history before eventually guiding Saints to an 11th place finish in his second season back in 2019/20 – their highest points total since 2015/16.

Having last managed Wolfsburg, the club may find it tricky to entice the 58-year-old to a second spell in charge.

The likes of former England interim boss Lee Carsley (10/1), Stevenage boss Alex Revell (14/1) and Steven Gerrard (16/1) are deemed less likely to land the role by the bookies. 

Next Southampton manager odds