Gary O’Neil is a “strong contender” for the current managerial role at Southampton with a recent update sharing the latest timetable for getting a new boss through the door.
After becoming the first team in Premier League history to be relegated with up to seven matches remaining last season, Southampton were hoping for a quick return to the top flight. This summer, Will Still, who made a reputation with Reims and Lens in Ligue 1, moved to St Mary’s.
Despite an influx of summer signings, Still struggled to make things happen with the Saints, winning just two league games out of 13. After three successive defeats, Still was dismissed and under-21 coach Tonda Eckert took over as interim manager of the club.
Eckert, who guided Southampton to a 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers, will remain in charge until Southampton make a permanent appointment. Now, it looks like the Saints could be closing in on Still’s replacement.
Will O’Neil take over at Southampton?
According to Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, O’Neil is heavily in the running for the Southampton job, with “admirers at St Mary’s following his work at Bournemouth and Wolves”.
O’Neil received his first senior management experience with Bournemouth, taking over from Scott Parker and keeping the Cherries in the top flight before being replaced by Andoni Iraola.
O’Neil’s next job was with Wolves, after the 42-year-old replaced Julen Lopetegui at the start of the 2023/24 season. Despite guiding the club to a comfortable mid-table position, the Englishman struggled to find form in the first part of the following campaign, leading to his dismissal.
Wolves, who themselves are looking for a new manager following the sacking of Vitor Pereira, were linked with O’Neil returning to the club, only for the manager to drop out of the running.
O’Neil, who shares the same agent as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, tends to favor a 3-4-2-1 formation, with which he enjoyed success during his Wolves debut. In theory, such a setup would work well with Southampton and their current generation of players.
McGrath also indicated that it was “still early in the process for Southampton” and in their search for a new manager. Given his free agent status, O’Neil would be available immediately, which could further increase his chances of landing the job.
Whoever takes over at Southampton will have to lead the club to the play-offs. Whether that person ends up being O’Neil remains to be seen.
Southampton want veteran manager to replace Still
