Southampton supervisor timeline confirmed as Gary O’Neil emerges as “sturdy contender”
Gary O’Neil is a “sturdy contender” for the present managerial emptiness at Southampton with a current replace sharing the most recent timeline on getting a brand new boss by the door.
After turning into the primary staff in Premier League historical past to be relegated with as many as seven video games remaining final season, Southampton hoped for a swift return to the highest flight. In the summertime, Will Nonetheless, who carved out a fame for himself with Reims and Lens in Ligue 1, moved to St Mary’s.
Regardless of an inflow of summer time signings, Nonetheless struggled to make issues click on with the Saints, successful simply two out of 13 Championship video games. Following three successive defeats, Nonetheless was dismissed from his place, with under-21s coach Tonda Eckert taking interim cost of the membership.
Eckert, who guided Southampton to a 2-1 win away at Queens Park Rangers, will stay in control of the staff till Southampton make a everlasting appointment. Now, it could seem that the Saints may very well be closing in on Nonetheless’s alternative.
O’Neil to take over at Southampton?
In accordance with Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, O’Neil could be very a lot in rivalry for the Southampton job, with “admirers at St Mary’s after his work at Bournemouth and Wolves”.
O’Neil acquired his first expertise of senior administration with Bournemouth, succeeding Scott Parker and retaining the Cherries within the prime flight earlier than being changed by Andoni Iraola.
O’Neil’s subsequent job was with Wolves, after the 42-year-old changed Julen Lopetegui because the 2023/24 season started. Although he guided the membership to a cushty mid-table end, the Englishman struggled for type within the opening chunk of the next marketing campaign, which led to his sacking.
Wolves, who themselves are looking for a brand new supervisor following Vitor Pereira’s dismissal, had been linked with bringing O’Neil again to the membership, just for the supervisor to drag himself out of the operating.
O’Neil, who shares the identical agent as Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, tends to favour a 3-4-2-1 formation, which he discovered success with throughout his early days at Wolves. Such a set-up, in principle, would work nicely with Southampton and their present crop of gamers.
McGrath additionally reported that it’s “nonetheless early within the course of for Southampton” and their seek for a brand new supervisor. Given his standing as a free agent, O’Neil could be accessible instantly, which can additional bolster his probabilities of getting the job.
Whoever takes over at Southampton will probably be anticipated to take the membership in the direction of the play-offs. Whether or not that particular person finally ends up being O’Neil, finally, stays to be seen.
Southampton eager on veteran supervisor to interchange Nonetheless
