"David Prutton expresses his belief that Will Still will be eager for the Southampton challenge, stating it seems as if he's saying, 'I've been wondering about all the excitement, now I can prove it to you'."
New Coach Will Still Takes the Helm at Relegated Southampton
After a tumultuous season that saw Southampton relegated from the Premier League, the club has appointed Will Still as their new manager. This marks Still's first major managerial role at this level, as he returns to home soil to take on the challenge of revitalizing the Saints.
Will Still, a highly-regarded young coach aged 32, has been making waves in certain circles for several years. His coaching career began in Belgium, with stints at Lierse and Beerschot. However, it was his move to France and roles at Reims and Lens that really put him on the map, earning him a reputation as a coaching "wonderkid."
Despite this, some Southampton fans are skeptical about Still's lack of experience and are waiting to see his performance. The club's relegation to the Championship after the earliest relegation in Premier League history has left many supporters wary. But Still seems unfazed, expressing confidence in his ability to handle the challenge.
David Prutton, a former Saints and Leeds United midfielder, has also expressed confidence in Still's abilities. Prutton believes that Still has what it takes to lead Southampton back to the Premier League.
Still's first job at Southampton will be to navigate the club through the 2025/26 Championship season. The Saints' campaign begins with a home match against promoted Wrexham, followed by a trip to fellow relegated side Ipswich Town. With only two wins and 12 points in the Premier League last season, the pressure is on to turn things around.
Despite the media hype surrounding Still's coaching career, it's worth noting that there are no prominent records or publicized Championship coaching accomplishments attributed to him prior to joining Southampton. This suggests that this is likely his first significant role at this competition level.
Still's appointment comes after the sacking of former manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, who had several seasons in the Premier League with Southampton but was let go with the club struggling near the relegation zone.
With the new season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Will Still as he embarks on this exciting new challenge at Southampton. Only time will tell if he can live up to the hype and lead the Saints back to the Premier League.
Will Still, the newly appointed manager at relegated Southampton, is expected to utilize his experience in European leagues, particularly his time with Reims and Lens in France, to navigate the club through the challenging 2025/26 Championship season. Despite his relatively limited experience in English football, Southampton fans and pundits like David Prutton express optimism about his potential to guide the Saints back to the Premier League, reflecting the anticipation surrounding his first major role in European-leagues football.
