RC Lens manager Will Still is reportedly 'emerging as an option' for Saints in their hunt for a new boss ahead of the Championship next season.

Former Sunderland target Still, 32, signed a three-year deal at Lens last summer and has the French side sitting ninth in Ligue 1 this campaign. 

Born in Belgium to English parents, Still rose to prominence during his two-year stint with Stade Reims, also in France, finishing 11th and ninth.

Still was the youngest manager in Europe's top five leagues at 30, while his club were fined €25,000 each game as he did not hold a UEFA Pro license.

He went unbeaten in his first 17 matches at Reims, setting a new Ligue 1 record and becoming only the second boss to do so in the 21st century.

Still has previously stated that playing video game Football Manager inspired him to start studying to become a coach when he was 17 years old.

TalkSPORT report that Still is a live candidate to become Saints manager, after the St Mary's side parted ways with Ivan Juric this month.

Still is known to speak English, French and Dutch, and was strongly linked to Sunderland before rejecting the Black Cats in May 2024. 

Still was asked about managing in England last year and said: “Obviously, the Premier League is the ultimate dream for any manager in the world.

"But if there's a Championship club that's ambitious, that wants to work in the right way and be open and honest, I would love to do that."

Technical director Johannes Spors is overseeing the process, with interim boss Simon Rusk expected to take the final seven games of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl has been considered the front runner and top target, while Strasbourg's Liam Rosenior was also linked.