Will Still, former Southampton manager, has spoken out about his departure from the St Mary’s Stadium, stating that ‘criticism may be harsh’ and that he was left heartbroken by the way his brief career on the South Coast ended.

Still began his first managerial post in England last summer, taking over at Southampton, where he was tasked with achieving rapid promotion back to the Premier League following their relegation under Russell Martin and Ivan Juric.

And the 33-year-old arrived with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young coaching talents, having previously guided Ligue 1 side Lens to an eighth-place finish in France’s top flight the previous season, and becoming the youngest manager in Europe’s top five leagues when he managed Reims, leading them to a record-breaking 19 games unbeaten in the 2022-23 season.

As a result, there was a lot of hope that Still could bring the club back to prominence, especially given that the club had one of the largest budgets in the division.

Over the summer, the Saints welcomed nine new faces for their second-tier challenge, including high-profile Championship players Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows, who impressed at Middlesbrough and West Brom last season.

However, instead of fighting for the top of the table, Southampton would be looking over their shoulders under Still.

The Saints head coach had to deal with several injury concerns that disturbed both the rhythm and depth of the squad, resulting in the club winning only two of their first 13 Championship games under his leadership.

And after only five months in charge, he was removed of his duties in early November 2025, with the club sliding to 21st in the Championship rankings.

The Saints then improved their form under first-time interim manager Tonda Eckert, but their results have returned to a concerning pattern since the German took over as permanent manager.

Although it has been a long time since Still’s departure, he has now shared his thoughts on how things went at Southampton on his Instagram page.

Will Still Reflects on Southampton Departure

Former Southampton manager Will Still has opened up on his Instagram account about his managerial experience over the last three months, claiming that the criticism he received was “harsh” and that his brief tenure on the South Coast left him feeling upset.

Still posted: “Over the last 12 weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to pause and listen. Listen to those who have encouraged me to pause, reflect, and be grateful for what I’ve experienced and accomplished thus far. For the first time in my coaching career, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on both personal and professional levels, to reset, learn, and refresh.

“Now, as I reflect on the previous 12 years since I first began coaching, I am filled with gratitude and pride. From beginning as a video analyst and assistant coach to realizing the dream of becoming a head coach, the path has been full of milestones. As the youngest head coach in a top-flight league, I’ve seen historic unbeaten runs, unforgettable wins, and the opportunity to explore other cultures. I am grateful to have shared these high points with those who have truly supported me: my family, my players, the various staff, board members, and the incredible fanbases.

https://www.instagram.com/wrstill/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=670945c2-df4d-43dc-a384-b25e73b345ed

“However, no trip is without hurdles. There have been painful personal occasions, and being let go by Southampton in November was one of them. Did it hurt? Of course. I am passionate about my work as a head coach; I enjoy the job and the opportunity to create something with everyone I am fortunate enough to work with. Critique can be harsh, but it comes with the territory. I also know I didn’t do everything right, and there are some things I would have done differently. But, despite all of this, I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had in this game thus far, and this time away has given me new energy, perspective, and an even deeper sense of how much I know I have to offer.

“I’m enthusiastic about the future and the opportunities that lay ahead, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported, believed in, and helped build my career thus far.

“Onwards.”

Will still be a better manager because of his Southampton experience.

Despite a fantastic start to his coaching career in Belgium and France, Will Still is facing his first major management challenge as he seeks to recover from his failures at Southampton.

While Still’s five months in charge of the South Coast outfit were extremely disappointing, he can consider himself unlucky due to the sheer number of injuries that occurred while he was in the dugout, which must only have contributed to the drop in results and league position.

Some will undoubtedly question his ability to succeed in English football, but the truth is that Still has had more successful managerial spells than failures, establishing himself as one of the most tactically savvy up-and-coming managers, promoting a brand of fast, modern, and attack-minded football that could well suit another club that comes calling.

It is up to Still whether he wishes to return overseas or remain in England, but in order to respond to the critics, he should seek another post inside the EFL and demonstrate that his techniques can be successful.

He was previously linked with the Oxford United and Norwich City vacancies shortly after leaving Southampton, but Still is sensible to take some more time off to think on what has been a hectic three months.

Another second-tier club will undoubtedly want to take a chance on Still in the near future, and we’re pretty certain that we haven’t seen the last of him as a Championship manager.