"Massive gamble" - Will Still concern raised as Southampton FC push to appoint 32-year-old | OneFootball

FLW's Southampton fan pundit has given his verdict on Will Still potentially becoming the club's next manager

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Will Still has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Southampton ahead of their return to the Championship.

According to the Independent, the Saints are confident of making a successful approach for the highly-rated young coach.

The 32-year-old confirmed his departure from French side Lens, citing personal reasons for the decision.

Southampton will be hoping their next manager can guide them to promotion straight back to the Premier League, having suffered relegation from the division with a 20th place finish this season.

Will Still concern raised

When asked about the appointment of Still, FLW’s Southampton fan pundit Martin Sanders claimed his lack of experience in English football is a concern, even if he enjoyed the coach's recent appearances on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football programme.

He is hoping the club hires someone that can guarantee promotion back to the top flight, and he’s unsure whether the ex-Lens coach can provide that at this point in his career.

“I enjoyed his Monday Night Football performance, I’ve got to say, I think he came across really well,” Sanders told Football League World.

“He’s never managed in England, so that worries me a bit.

“His record, yeah he’s done well over in France, but it’s a big challenge, and it feels very Southampton-like, this appointment.

“I think most Southampton fans want to see a proven manager.

“This is a massive gamble, I think this is a huge gamble.

“I still think Danny Rohl would be a gamble, but this would be a bigger gamble than Danny Rohl.

“I’m not sure how I feel about it.

“I want to see someone experienced come in and get us straight back up because I don’t want to see us doomed in the Championship.

“And if we get it wrong on the first time of asking, we’re in big trouble.”

Still led Lens to an eighth place finish in Ligue 1, earning 52 points from 34 fixtures, in his sole season with the club.

Still appointment would be great for Southampton

Still has earned a reputation as a very highly-rated coach for his work in France, so could be a real coup if appointed.

Southampton need fresh ideas after a dismal campaign in the Premier League, and someone like the 32-year-old could be ideal.

We’ve seen in recent years that experience in English football isn’t needed to succeed in the Championship, most notably at Sheffield Wednesday with Rohl.