Will Still appointed Southampton manager after leaving Lens

Southampton have confirmed the appointment of 32-year-old Will Still as their new manager.

He succeeds Ivan Juric, who left the club in April after relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with seven games to go.

Still revealed last weekened that he would leave his position at Ligue 1 side Lens so that he could return to the UK.

“There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special,” said Still, who has signed a three-year deal.

“The project that has been laid out to me is very impressive and, all together, I believe we can build a clear identity and a very positive future for the team.

“I’m eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong; in the Premier League.”

Group technical director Johannes Spors added: “Will is a young, innovative manager who has already gained significant experience, and we have been extremely impressed both by his track record and our conversations with him.

“What was very apparent in our discussions was the clarity of his philosophy and the identity he wants his teams to have, but also his willingness and ability to adapt to different situations as they present themselves, which will be an important quality in the Championship next season.

“We were very impressed by his personality and his values, and we feel he will be an excellent fit for the culture we are looking to build at Staplewood.”

Lens have released a statement thanking the Englishman for his “investment” during his time at the club, adding that he “embodied the values of RCL through his resilience and his passionate and authentic personality”.

The French side also confirmed that Still’s brothers, Edward and Nicolas, would also be leaving the club, though it is not yet confirmed whether or not they will be joining him at Southampton.

Still is expected to be at St Mary’s on Sunday for the Saints’ final Premier League game of the season against Arsenal.