Instead of fighting for promotion, Southampton FC is currently battling against relegation in the Championship. Now sporting director Johannes Spors has replaced the coach – and could install a German successor.
Two days after a sobering 0-2 home defeat to Preston North End, Southampton FC has parted ways with coach Will Still. The 33-year-old Belgian, who had signed a three-year contract, had only joined the club from RC Lens in the summer and was expected to lead the Premier League relegation team back to the top flight. Instead, the Saints slipped to 21st place in the Championship on Saturday.
“Will is a great person who gave his all to improve performance and results. Ultimately, this process took longer than any of us would have liked,” explained Johannes Spors, technical director at Sport Republic, which is responsible for Southampton FC and French third-division club Valenciennes FC, among others. “We believe that with this change, we now have the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the table.”
Eckert takes over on an interim basis – or even longer?
For the time being, Spors is relying on a fellow German: 32-year-old Tonda Eckert, U-21 coach at the second division club, is taking over the first team on an interim basis, but according to English media reports, he has a chance of becoming a permanent solution. Eckert has only been with the club since the summer. He previously worked as assistant coach at CFC Genoa and Barnsley FC, after gaining his first coaching experience in the youth teams of 1. FC Köln, RB Salzburg, and FC Bayern.
The German influence in the club’s management is also evident in the squad, which is the third youngest in the league. Damion Downs (1. FC Köln), Caspar Jander (1. FC Nürnberg), Leonardo Scienza (1. FC Heidenheim) and Joshua Quarshie (TSG Hoffenheim) joined the club in the summer. Spors has already worked in Germany for Hoffenheim, Leipzig, and Hamburger SV. Southampton, which has won only one of its last eleven competitive games, faces another challenge on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) at Queens Park Rangers. Eckert may then have the opportunity to promote himself.
