Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Southampton coach Adam Lallana "would be interested" in becoming the club's next manager, but is unlikely to be given the Saints job following the sacking of Will Still, according to Sky Sports. Despite only arriving from RC Lens this summer, Southampton parted company with Still on Sunday after he oversaw just two wins from 13 Championship games in charge, leaving the Saints in search of his successor. One head coach mentioned was a familiar face to Saints supporters, with former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl linked with a return, but Southampton are unlikely to reappoint the Austrian. Therefore, the second tier outfit are compiling a list of candidates to succeed Still, but the club's former midfielder Lallana is unlikely to be in contention. Former Southampton Star Lallana 'Interested' In Head Coach Role Sky Sports outline that Southampton are "undergoing a thorough process" to identify Still's replacement, with two former managers in Hasenhuttl and Russell Martin mooted. The latter, who was recently sacked by Scottish Premier League giants Rangers after a disastrous short stint, has been linked with an eyebrow-raising return to St Mary's less than a year after being dismissed. As GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed, several Southampton players would welcome Martin's return, but the Scotsman's reinstatement on the South Coast remains unlikely. As the Saints' Under-21s boss Tonda Eckert takes charge on an interim basis, with a trip to QPR next up on Wednesday evening, Southampton academy product and current first-team coach Lallana would be "interested" in a top job. Sky Sports' report states: Saints’ U21s head coach Tonda Eckert is taking charge of the team on a temporary basis, and the club are looking to give him their full support in the interim period, hoping a positive upturn in results gives them time to make the right decision. Eckert is being supported by former Saints player Adam Lallana, who would be interested in becoming a head coach but is deemed an unlikely option at this time, given his lack of experience in the role. In the summer of 2024, Lallana returned to Southampton on a free transfer after his departure from Brighton, and went on to make 14 Premier League appearances as the Saints suffered an instant relegation from the top flight. This summer, the former England international announced his retirement from football after a 17-year senior playing career which encompassed lengthy spells with Southampton, Liverpool and the Seagulls. 37-year-old Lallana remains in the coaching ranks at St Mary's, but is yet to venture into permanent first-team duties, with his lack of experience cited by Sky Sports as a deterrent to struggling Southampton appointing their former Player of the 2013/14 campaign as Still's heir. Granting the young coach the permanent top job would likely be deemed as a risk not worth taking by the Saints hierarchy and supporters, one which Southampton can ill-afford given their precarious position within touching distance of the Championship relegation zone.
