When Still was hired in May, the plan was clear: a new, modern rebuild for the club to progress. Then, a poor start to the Championship season, and fans and board began to wonder if a change was needed.
Still was hired on a 3-year deal after his time in France and came with the reputation as an up-and-coming, young coach. The appointment was intended to be a long-term project, but early results have not been good — the 3–1 loss to Hull City being the recent low.
Media speculation is mounting, but reports suggest the board are not looking to make a hasty decision yet. But if they do decide to separate from Still there are some realistic few options that could be interesting.
3 Will Still replacements for Southampton to consider now
Danny Röhl
Danny Röhl is a young coach whose experience has been mainly at top German clubs, including the academy systems of RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. He has recently stabilised a team in difficulty at Sheffield Wednesday and is known for his organisation tactically.
Critically, he has worked at Southampton previously as an assistant, so he will be aware of the culture, the importance of young players and the type of football the club plays. More simply, Röhl knows the club.
This makes him a good fit for a club that needs more structure and, at the same time, is fully respectful of its long-term identity. Since leaving Sheffield Wednesday by mutual consent in July 2025 he is available and relatively cheap compared with bigger names.
Röhl brings modern coaching methods and a focus on player development, but has limited experience managing at the top level in England, so there’s still some risk in terms of long-term results.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche offers something different: experience and a good track record at Championship level. Dyche built solid, hard-to-beat teams at Burnley and could bring immediate stability to Southampton if the team continues to slide.
He has also been available since leaving Everton in January 2025 and having a record of getting teams promoted (3) would appear to make him a solid, short term option.
He has instant authority with a results first mentality that is maybe just what the club needs right now. The flip side is how his more direct/defensive approach approach could offend Southampton’s long standing focus on youth plus possession football and ultimately cause issues between those minorities, or the fans.
Liam Rosenior
This is the bold option the the list. In July 2024, Liam Rosenior was appointed as head coach of RC Strasbourg and extended his contract in April 2025 until June 2028.
His management style has been appreciated in France (and England) for being progressive and development-minded, with a focus on youth and long term growth.
Strasbourg’s performances under his leadership have surpassed expectations based on the resources available to him, enhancing his reputation as one of the most ambitious young coaches in the continent, and those attributes fit what Southampton have been trying to develop in the long run.
Rosenior’s recent contract extension and importance to Strasbourg’s project, however, make him a difficult option from a short term perspective.
Right now Southampton need a manager who can sort out the defence and set the right pieces and the Championship punishes mistakes and any new manager has to get the basics right quickly.
At the same time the club has to have an identity and develop young players which is why Röhl or Rosenior could be good for the long term. Ultimately the board have to decide whether to give Will Still more time or act now.
If promotion this season is non negotiable then an experienced Championship manager like Dyche might be the safe bet.