This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal comments from FLW Fan Pundits on breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Gary O’Neil has emerged as a front-runner to take over as Southampton hunt for a new manager.
According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, the former Wolves manager is in the running to take over at St Mary’s following Will Still’s dismissal last week; but, his experience as a Portsmouth player could be a major stumbling point with supporters.
The 42-year-old spent seven years in the first-team squad at Fratton Park, progressing through their academy system and making nearly 200 appearances.
O’Neil is now unemployed after leaving Molineux in December, but it is unclear whether he will be willing to move down to the Championship to take over Southampton.
Gary O’Neil’s hiring at Southampton is considered doubtful due to Portsmouth links.
When challenged about O’Neil’s past with the club’s fierce rivals Portsmouth, FLW’s Southampton fan analyst Martin Sanders stated it has already put him at a disadvantage with supporters, even before an official appointment.
He believes it is improbable that the former Wolves manager will take over, considering the restricted pool of potential managers.
“I think it’d put a lot of the fans off,” Sanders told Football League World.
“They’re already going through his tweets and digging up tweets he’s made over the years, including when he played in derbies against us.
“Look, I’m not certain he’ll end up as Saints manager; that’s just my honest opinion.
“I know he’s the favourite, but there’s only a small pool of managers to choose from; that’s the key thing right now.
“With so few options, who do they choose? I believe they have a huge decision to make.
“Gary O’Neil has done OK, but I’m not completely sold on him.
“The Saints fans won’t take it too well.”
Southampton’s return to the Championship has been challenging, following their humiliating relegation from the Premier League last season.
Will Still was appointed manager in the summer, but the 33-year-old has already been fired due to the team’s poor results.
He supervised only two wins in 13 league games, leaving the club slightly above the relegation zone.
The Saints will be trying to hire a permanent replacement during the November international break, with their next match on the 22nd against Charlton Athletic, where former manager Nathan Jones – who is flourishing with the London club – will be in opposition.
Gary O’Neill will have to win over the fans to succeed at Southampton.
Southampton fans are already dissatisfied with the club owing to the terrible start to this season.
Bringing in O’Neil has the potential to exacerbate the situation rather than improve it, and the former Wolves manager will need to work hard to win over fans for the start of a potential term.
Of course, a couple of wins would be nice if he were appointed, but if he gets off to the same start as Still, things might rapidly become poisonous.
This is a critical decision for the Southampton owners, and it would be a huge risk to bring in someone who will immediately alienate fans.
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