Will Still has spoken out for the first time since being sacked by Southampton earlier this month, stating he ‘didn’t do well enough’ during his short spell at St Mary’s.
The 33-year-old was appointed by the Southampton hierarchy in the summer to lead them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following a disastrous 2024-25 campaign in which they had three managers, but it didn’t work out.
Still picked up just two league wins from 13 matches in charge before he was dismissed following the 2-0 home defeat by Preston North End on the south coast last weekend.
Will Still: ‘I Didn’t do Well Enough’ at Southampton
Hopes would have been high that Saints would challenge at the right end of the table following the dramatic opening day win against Wrexham at St Mary’s, but it was followed up with one victory in 12 as Still departed St Mary’s with the club lying in 21st – one position outside the relegation zone.
Still could point to a lack of luck and the fact that his team massively underperfomed their xG but at the same time, performances were often disappointing and his team often crumbled when things went against them.
According to quotes relayed by Joueurs Belges, Still says he simply didn’t do well enough after being fired for the first time in his career.
I’m taking it well. It’s the first time I’ve been fired, so it’s new to me. I didn’t do well enough, I know that’s how it works in the world of football and you pay the price quickly.
Still would have been even more unhappy to see interim replacement Tonda Eckert pick up successive wins against Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday to lift Southampton up to 17th place and seven points adrift of the playoffs, with two fortunate goals for Jay Robinson and Caspar Jander in either game.
Following successful spells with Stade Reims and RC Lens in France previously before moving back to England for family reasons, it will be interesting to see if another British club takes a chance on Still or if he manages abroad again next.