Southampton sack manager Will Still following poor results

The St Mary's side were beaten 2-0 by Preston on Saturday, having suffered losses against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City previously.

Saints are 21st in the table with 12 points after 13 games, having won just twice in the league since the 33 year old arrived from RC Lens.

His only wins came by one-goal margins on the opening weekend of the campaign against Wrexham, and at Sheffield United in September.

Still signed a three-year contract in May and will become the seventh manager to be let go by owners Sport Republic in under four years.

On Sunday evening, a club statement said: "Southampton Football Club can confirm that we have this evening parted ways with men’s first team manager Will Still."

Goalkeeping coach Rubén Martinez, lead analyst Clément Lemaitre and assistant coach Carl Martin have also left their positions at the club.

Men’s under-21s head coach Tonda Eckert will take charge of the team on an interim basis, as they prepare to head to QPR on Wednesday evening.

Group technical director Johannes Spors said: “Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results.

"Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table.

"I would like to thank Will, Rubén, Clément and Carl for their efforts and wish them well for the future."

Still insisted he would fight for his job following the defeat to Preston, and claimed he had the full backing of the players despite poor results.

He said: "I'm a human being and I know where we are in the league and what that looks like from the outside and how the world of football works.

"I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself. I'll question myself first, I always do, and fight as long as I'm here."

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