Who do we want next as Saints manager?

[leesaint88]

33 minutes ago, swannymere said:

From Talksport so probably bull, Will Still from Lens is among the contenders.

Didn't he turn down Sunderland last summer though? Personally I don't think he wants a Championship gig...

[Convict Colony]

Honestly this time of year the agents are working overtime for both players "want to stay in the premier league", or managers "england legend would be interested in Southampton job".

I expect we will have a pre-agreement with Rohls agent which we will then action as soon as we had back our premier league status in Jun (last year was 6th Jun for the AGM) and then expect to have Rohl in place a week after if its just a case of paying his release fee as a championship club.

Obviously not ideal if we are going for him as someone could gazump us but this is the game we play.

[bangkoksaint]

4 hours ago, saintoaks said:

Thought i read somewhere we will be in for a manager who has experience of the Championship or promotion from the Championship ?

Russell Martin?!

[Turkish]

7 hours ago, saintoaks said:

Thought i read somewhere we will be in for a manager who has experience of the Championship or promotion from the Championship ?

We need to stop trying to be clever and bring in someone who is experienced, knows the league, how to get out of it and let him do it with the team he brings. No trying to be clever, none of this data driven or philosophy nonsense. Steve Cooper is the obvious, stand out candidate by a mile, ticks every single box

[Matthew Le God]

45 minutes ago, Turkish said:

We need to stop trying to be clever and bring in someone who is experienced, knows the league, how to get out of it and let him do it with the team he brings. No trying to be clever, none of this data driven or philosophy nonsense. Steve Cooper is the obvious, stand out candidate by a mile, ticks every single box

1) Pochettino and Koeman hadn't managed in England before, they both did exceptionally well for us. Do you think they 'knew the league' before they joined?

The league label you put on a game doesn't impact the match. So if a manager has experience in another top league/competition why does it matter if he hasn't managed in England before?

2) Data is evidence... why would you not want to use evidence when making a decision?

Edited Friday at 18:05 by Matthew Le God

[Midfield_General]

32 minutes ago, Turkish said:

We need to stop trying to be clever and bring in someone who is experienced, knows the league, how to get out of it and let him do it with the team he brings. No trying to be clever, none of this data driven or philosophy nonsense. Steve Cooper is the obvious, stand out candidate by a mile, ticks every single box

Some movement with the bookies today:

Rohl moving out: generally around evens now, moved out from heavy odds-on before. 

Will Still moving in: generally around 3-4/1 now.

Oh god, Gary O’Neil has come from nowhere to be second favourite at a fair few bookies now. 

Rosenior generally moving out to around 8-10/1 across the board. 

Cooper generally way out in the pack of randoms around 16/1, I’m not sure we’re even interested in him. 

[bangkoksaint]

Still is being touted in various parts of the media as the ‘affordable option’…….now there’s a thing

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Some movement with the bookies today:

Rohl moving out: generally around evens now, moved out from heavy odds-on before. 

Will Still moving in: generally around 3-4/1 now.

Oh god, Gary O’Neil has come from nowhere to be second favourite at a fair few bookies now. 

Rosenior generally moving out to around 8-10/1 across the board. 

Cooper generally way out in the pack of randoms around 16/1, I’m not sure we’re even interested in him. 

All means very little. The odds reflect punters reading media stories and making bets based on those rumours, not liklihood of each manager getting the job. Next manager markets fluctuate on some very low bets being placed.

[Convict Colony]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Some movement with the bookies today:

Rohl moving out: generally around evens now, moved out from heavy odds-on before. 

Will Still moving in: generally around 3-4/1 now.

Oh god, Gary O’Neil has come from nowhere to be second favourite at a fair few bookies now. 

Rosenior generally moving out to around 8-10/1 across the board. 

Cooper generally way out in the pack of randoms around 16/1, I’m not sure we’re even interested in him. 

Honestly those names most of them will not be Spors names, agents planting stories and mugs betting on them.

[Convict Colony]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

All means very little. The odds reflect punters reading media stories and making bets based on those rumours, not liklihood of each manager getting the job. Next manager markets fluctuate on some very low bets being placed.

Should of read your post first 🤣🤣

[Saint Fan CaM]

It’ll be Rohl or some cheapo hipster option - nailed on. Cooper might get an interview, but he’ll not court favour with the SR boys I suspect. It might be Lampard in which case I’ll know Spors is a cretin. 😉🤣

[Turkish]

3 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) Pochettino and Koeman hadn't managed in England before, they both did exceptionally well for us. Do you think they 'knew the league' before they joined?

The league label you put on a game doesn't impact the match. So if a manager has experience in another top league/competition why does it matter if he hasn't managed in England before?

2) Data is evidence... why would you not want to use evidence when making a decision?

You don’t half come out with some bollocks. Stick to your games 

Edited Friday at 21:22 by Turkish

[Willo of Whiteley]

6 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You don’t half come out with some bollocks. Stick to your games 

Echoed

[Matthew Le God]

7 hours ago, Turkish said:

You don’t half come out with some bollocks. Stick to your games 

Are you unable to explain why it is bollocks?

[gio1saints]

Danny Rohl is too short. 
Gary O’Neill is too short.
Liam Rosenior is too short. 
Gareth Southgate is too short but getting closer as is Steve Cooper, who is also too short. 
If your players have to look down at you for team talks it’s not good body language - or if you have to make them sit down whilst you speak standing up it’s also not ideal. The worst thing is if the new ( tall) skipper accidentally holds your hand and walks you out to the centre circle before match starts cos they’ve confused you with a mascot, such is your diminutive stature. 

For this reason I think it’s fairly obvious who the new Manager MUST be. Will Still is 190cm+ = tall and obviously and inevitably and justifiably by every important criteria the outstanding new Manager candidate for Spors and Saints. 

Edited 21 hours ago by gio1saints

[Convict Colony]

15 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Danny Rohl is too short. 
Gary O’Neill is too short.
Liam Rosenior is too short. 
Gareth Southgate is too short but getting closer as is Steve Cooper, who is also too short. 
If your players have to look down at you for team talks it’s not good body language - or if you have to make them sit down whilst you speak standing up it’s also not ideal. The worst thing is if the new ( tall) skipper accidentally holds your hand and walks you out to the centre circle before match starts cos they’ve confused you with a mascot, such is your diminutive stature. 

For this reason I think it’s fairly obvious who the new Manager MUST be. Will Still is 190cm+ = tall and obviously and inevitably and justifiably by every important criteria the outstanding new Manager candidate for Spors and Saints. 

His hair adds 10cm

[gio1saints]

16 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

His hair adds 10cm

You’ve made a strong case for Rohl but I dont think Spors will be fooled by the bouffant hair. I think that even +10cm he comes in at around 183cm - which is still probably a tad too short and Spors will kick him out pretty damn quick for wasting his time. 

Edited 20 hours ago by gio1saints
HD to cross reference Rohl height on transfermkt

[Suhari]

6 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

You’ve made a strong case for Rohl but I dont think Spors will be fooled by the bouffant hair. I think that even +10cm he comes in at around 183cm - which is still probably a tad too short and Spors will kick him out pretty damn quick for wasting his time. 

He's actually 6 foot 4; 6ft 9 with the afro.

 

[gio1saints]

I happen to understand, from my ITK friend, that Spors has a “ tell”. He tends to sing under his breath and if you are around him for long enough you can actually make out the words as he does it in a very identifiable English-foreign accent : 

🎶“IF he is not six-foot-three

he is not the man for ME”🎶

Edited 20 hours ago by gio1saints

[ally_uk]

Rohl or Still 

I'd be happy with get it done. 

[Pierre2]

Roger Schmidt?

[gio1saints]

19 minutes ago, Pierre2 said:

Roger Schmidt?

188cm. ✅ but only just and I’d recommend he wear lifts to bring him up to speed. Also don’t get caught shoeless as that would be damning evidence of his just-about qualifying vertical qualifications to be in top football. We’d be ridiculed in the media endlessly I’m sure. 

My dark horse is Arsene Wenger but I guess he is too experienced too tall and probably does not want to manage a team of players all shorter than him - though he might be motivated at the prospect of managing the first team ever to have the minimum height to be in squad as 191cm ( six foot three or so) if Spors can convince him. And if we fail in the Championship there’s always a chance we could do well in the Turkish Basketball Premier League next season anyway due to the exciting multi club ownership model SR have at present. Yes it’s all looking up! 

Edited 20 hours ago by gio1saints

[Saint Gifford]

1 hour ago, gio1saints said:

You’ve made a strong case for Rohl but I dont think Spors will be fooled by the bouffant hair. I think that even +10cm he comes in at around 183cm - which is still probably a tad too short and Spors will kick him out pretty damn quick for wasting his time. 

No, no Lego number 2. Why do we do this to ourselves………..

[Holmes_and_Watson]

14 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

188cm. ✅ but only just and I’d recommend he wear lifts to bring him up to speed. Also don’t get caught shoeless as that would be damning evidence of his just-about qualifying vertical qualifications to be in top football. We’d be ridiculed in the media endlessly I’m sure. 

My dark horse is Arsene Wenger but I guess he is too experienced too tall and probably does not want to manage a team of players all shorter than him - though he might be motivated at the prospect of managing the first team ever to have the minimum height to be in squad as 191cm ( six foot three or so) if Spors can convince him. And if we fail in the Championship there’s always a chance we could do well in the Turkish Basketball Premier League next season anyway due to the exciting multi club ownership model SR have at present. Yes it’s all looking up! 

That's a good point about the manager simply being too tall, ending up with disdain for the players who are literally so far beneath him. There are complex dynamics at work here.

[Osvaldorama]

For me:

1. Cooper

2. Dyche

3. Rohl

 

Would be happy with any of these, although u would prefer the experience of the first 2 considering we are such a shit show. 
I just don’t like the thought of an inexperienced manager and gambling again. We know cooper is good with young players and can get teams promoted. Also had Leicester playing much better than the sum of their parts.
 

Seems to be an easy first choice candidate for me. 

[Convict Colony]

3 hours ago, gio1saints said:

188cm. ✅ but only just and I’d recommend he wear lifts to bring him up to speed. Also don’t get caught shoeless as that would be damning evidence of his just-about qualifying vertical qualifications to be in top football. We’d be ridiculed in the media endlessly I’m sure. 

My dark horse is Arsene Wenger but I guess he is too experienced too tall and probably does not want to manage a team of players all shorter than him - though he might be motivated at the prospect of managing the first team ever to have the minimum height to be in squad as 191cm ( six foot three or so) if Spors can convince him. And if we fail in the Championship there’s always a chance we could do well in the Turkish Basketball Premier League next season anyway due to the exciting multi club ownership model SR have at present. Yes it’s all looking up! 

The only answers are either make tall Paul player manager or bring back crouchie.

[gio1saints]

1 hour ago, Convict Colony said:

The only answers are either make tall Paul player manager or bring back crouchie.

Of course. Genius! Seeing the obvious before everyone else. IF Lallana can be an assistant I’m sure Crouchie could be Manager, easy, he’s got at least 6-10 inches height advantage. I mean, it’s a no-brainer for Spors. Crouchies agent needs to get going before TP’s  money man senses the way the wind is blowing and puts TP up as player manager next season! Things are really on the up in the new Manager front I must say! 

[Dr. Kucho]

On 11/04/2025 at 10:48, skintsaint said:

The video highlight of him being able to speak French and English being unreal, as being born to English parents and raised in Belgium this isn't as unreal as mentioned 😅

I have to disagree with this. I was born in England and moved to the Netherlands at a young age. My schooling was in Dutch and at home I spoke English with my parents. It’s not as easy as it sounds even being brought up bilingual (and in Still’s case trilingual, he speaks Dutch/Flemish too). The build up of sentences and some words are easily mixed. Him switching from French to English is quite impressive. 

[Wade Garrett]

Please not Will Still.  That would be another clever-bollocks appointment.

Steve Cooper for me.  Would be ok with Rohl.

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Please not Will Still.  That would be another clever-bollocks appointment.

What issue would you have with it?

[Wade Garrett]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

What issue would you have with it?

Lack of experience, not managed in this country and is one of those nerdy Championship Manager idiots.

 

[Matthew Le God]

14 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Lack of experience, not managed in this country and is one of those nerdy Championship Manager idiots.

1) He has more managerial experience than one of the managers you said you wanted

2) Why does not managing in England matter? Again, he has more European top 5 top flight experience than one of the managers you suggested

3) I doubt he played much Championship Manager, as he was only 12 year old when it effectively ended. Also puzzling why that is a stick to use against him?

Edited 10 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[Lee On Solent Saint]

I see everyone's saviour for our club had a disappointing result at home to Oxford today.

[Badger]

5 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I see everyone's saviour for our club had a disappointing result at home to Oxford today.

His heads already at St Mary's.

[Fabrice29]

21 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I see everyone's saviour for our club had a disappointing result at home to Oxford today.

This is a really daft way to judge managers fwiw. 

[beatlesaint]

32 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I see everyone's saviour for our club had a disappointing result at home to Oxford today.

You do know the circumstances surrounding Wednesday at the moment don’t you?

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 minute ago, beatlesaint said:

You do know the circumstances surrounding Wednesday at the moment don’t you?

Something's happened to Tuesday and Thursday?! 🙂

[St. Ciervo]

Cooper please. We have tried nice hair and turtlenecks... lets do the sensible, certainly not flashy thing, for once... 

Edited 9 hours ago by St. Ciervo

[beatlesaint]

4 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Something's happened to Tuesday and Thursday?! 🙂

Very good 👊🏻

[Lee On Solent Saint]

16 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

This is a really daft way to judge managers fwiw. 

Oh just fuck off 

 

7 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

You do know the circumstances surrounding Wednesday at the moment don’t you?

Yeah I do. Doesn't mean to say that makes Rohl a good manager. If you step away and look at it, would Rohl really be in the conversation if he wasn't here previously.

[LGTL]

Cooper would be ideal and we’d probably win promotion. Rohl would be next, that should see us top 6 with the finances we have. At least. 

Just no clever bollocks, basically. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

29 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

You do know the circumstances surrounding Wednesday at the moment don’t you?

If that’s the criteria, what  Selles has done at Reading & now  Hull is as impressive.

[Mr Saints]

Yep Stevie Cooper please.

[Suhari]

Cooper for me: he's walked the walk a few times.

Let's get some fucking football-sense back in the building.

Edited 8 hours ago by Suhari

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) He has more managerial experience than one of the managers you said you wanted

2) Why does not managing in England matter? Again, he has more European top 5 top flight experience than one of the managers you suggested

3) I doubt he played much Championship Manager, as he was only 12 year old when it effectively ended. Also puzzling why that is a stick to use against him?

Thank you.  I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[BarberSaint]

Not Cooper. I think Forest did well in spite of him, not because.

[miserableoldgit]

11 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

Not Cooper. I think Forest did well in spite of him, not because.

And he wasn't popular at Leicester.....

[Badger]

11 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

Not Cooper. I think Forest did well in spite of him, not because.

Cooper wouldn’t be my first choice but what absolute bollocks ! Completely ignoring his achievement there. 

Forest were bottom of the Championship when he took over in September 2021. And you think they were promoted at the end of that season despite him, rather than because of him.

That’s quite a fluke isn’t it ?  Or perhaps he was just lucky. But I wouldn’t mind some of that sort of luck coming our way. 

[CB Fry]

33 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

Not Cooper. I think Forest did well in spite of him, not because.

What a load of bollocks.

20 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said:

And he wasn't popular at Leicester.....

Because he was an ex-Forest manager. Did a shit ton better than any manager we've had this season and compared to who Leicester subsequently employed.

Edited 7 hours ago by CB Fry

[Turkish]

38 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

Not Cooper. I think Forest did well in spite of him, not because.

This is the same guy that took over forest on the 21/9/2021 with them bottom of the championship and on the 29th May 2022 got them promoted?