Southampton’s search for a new manager has led them to hold talks with Tom Cleverley and Will Still. Danny Röhl, the Sheffield Wednesday manager, is also in the running for the job.
Southampton are looking to rebuild after their relegation to the Championship and are thought to have identified a handful of leading candidates to manage them next season.
Cleverley is available following his departure from Watford and is thought to have made a good impression during talks over the role. Sources close to the former Manchester United midfielder believe he has a strong chance of being appointed by Southampton, who placed Simon Rusk in caretaker charge after firing Ivan Juric. Cleverley, 35, is seen as one of the most promising young English coaches.
There is competition from Still, who has announced that he is leaving Lens for “personal reasons”. The 32-year-old Englishman has cited a desire to be closer to his family. Still’s girlfriend, the Sky Sports presenter Emma Saunders, revealed in March that she has been diagnosed with encephalitis.
There is a chance Still will land a job when he moves back to England. He has been approached by Southampton and there is confidence that a deal can be struck. There are still details to iron out with Lens before anything can advance. Southampton are also considering Röhl, who has impressed at Wednesday. There are suggestions that the 36-year-old German will look to leave the Hillsborough club this summer.
Southampton, who lost 2-0 to Everton in their opponents’ final ever men’s game at Goodison Park on Sunday, have endured a terrible season in the Premier League. They have avoided setting a new record for the lowest points tally in the competition’s history but have otherwise had little to cheer. Russell Martin, who led them to promotion via the play-offs last season, was sacked in December after his expansive style failed to work. Martin’s replacement, Juric, was unable to inspire an improvement after his appointment.
