Southampton must cut winter transfer window sales so as not to frustrate new head coach Will Still.
Whether fans admit it or not, but the morning update about Southampton's managerial hunt scared us all. And rightly so, given that the club was an inch away from falling on the sword themselves again by heading with Tom Cleverley instead of Will Still.
Thankfully, those rumours have settled cool as Will Still has one foot stepped inside St. Mary's already.
As per journalist Mike McGrath, Southampton have agreed a 3-year deal with Will Still's entourage, with just the official announcement of the manager's arrival remaining.
With a young and exciting manager in Will Still to lead an energetic young Saints group, even this idea alone feels exciting. On top of that, a fresh transfer window strategy and the thought of some big moves upcoming this summer alone send goosebumps through the fanbase.
Yet, amidst the extremely cheerful environment for Still's arrival, St. Mary's and the club board need to proceed with caution. That's because they must avoid a transfer window blunder which might frustrate Still.
Southampton must abide by Will Still's winter transfer choices
As per Get Football France, a key reason that pushed Still's Ligue 1 departure was his former clubs not backing the manager in the winter transfer window. In both his Reims and Lens spells, Will Still's side slipped many Ligue 1 ranks by losing crucial players in January, costing European qualifications.
Shall that happen at Southampton, it shouldn't surprise if Will Still turns his back on the Saints club too. Thankfully, the Saints are on the safer side of this possibility.
This is because unlike in France, Southampton have mostly focussed on loan transfers for squad improvement in winter windows. Be it departing out-of-form players for a change of scenery or loaning out youth talents, the Saints' strategy lies far from risking their best stars mid season.
In fact, here, Still may enjoy a massive freedom to bring in exciting signings in January, to elevate his squad depth further.
Overall, it all points to the beginning of a memorable era at St. Mary's under Will Still. Hopefully, it turns out to be even better than Southampton's mid-2010s golden era.