Still leading candidate to be Southampton manager

Will Still, the manager of Lens, has been chosen as Southampton’s top choice for the St Mary’s Stadium position.

The 32-year-old, who was born in Belgium to English parents, announced last weekend that he is leaving French side Lens to return to the UK.

Negotiations that need to be conducted to free Still from his contract at the Ligue 1 club, which runs until 2027, as well as the possibility of Lens receiving compensation, complicate the situation.

His partner Emma Saunders, a presenter on Sky Sports who previously worked for BBC Sport, reported on her recovery from encephalitis, a brain infection.

Still told reporters on Saturday, “The main reason I need to go back home is for a number of reasons,” adding that Still.

With only seven games to go, the club was relegated from the Premier League in April, but Juric was still expected to be a permanent replacement.

The Englishman began his footballing career in Belgium at Lierse and Beershot before moving to France where he became the youngest head of the top five leagues under the age of 30 when Reims appointed him in October 2022.

He led Lens to finish in eighth place in Ligue 1 after signing a three-year deal with the organization in June. His brothers Nicolas and Edward, who work as Lens’ assistants.

Still’s departure has not yet been confirmed by Lens. The club has been contacted by BBC Sport for comment.