Ex-Portsmouth star in pole position to replace Tonda Eckert as Southampton manager
Gary O’Neil is the favourite to become Southampton’s next manager if Tonda Eckert leaves St Mary’s Stadium any time soon.
Eckert was handed the reins on an interim basis at Southampton in November after Will Still was sacked following a poor start to the season.
He oversaw a strong spell as temporary boss, leading the team to four wins in five games, and Southampton gave Eckert the permanent role in December as a result of his success.
Their form has not continued in such a manner, with just three wins in the nine matches since his full-time appointment, with the Saints sat in 15th place and still way off the pace in terms of challenging for promotion.
Southampton’s struggles have led to question marks over Eckert’s future at the helm, with former Portsmouth favourite O’Neil a contender to replace him if he is sacked.
O’Neil is the bookies’ favourite to be Southampton’s next boss
O’Neil last managed in English football in December 2024, when he lost his job as Wolves boss with the club 19th in the Premier League.
Wolves wanted O’Neil back in November after his replacement, Vitor Pereira, was sacked, but he snubbed their offer and has recently been appointed as Ligue 1 side Strasbourg‘s new manager.
O’Neil replaced new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg last week, but he has continued to be touted for a return to management on these shores.
According to the latest odds from one of the UK’s leading bookmakers, the 42-year-old is the leading candidate to replace Eckert at Southampton, at 20/1.
Former Huddersfield Town and Norwich City boss David Wagner is also believed to be in the running, at odds of 33/1.
While they are very long odds, they’re the only two managers currently touted for the role.
Which Championship managers are under the most pressure right now?
Eckert may be facing an uncertain future at St Mary’s, but it would be a shock if he is the next second-tier manager relieved of his duties in the weeks to come.
Leicester’s Marti Cifuentes is the favourite to be sacked next in the Championship, according to a top bookmaker, at odds of 3/1.
They are currently 12th in the second tier after 26 games, having lost nine so far this season, with Michael Carrick installed as the favourite to be Leicester’s next manager if that decision is taken.
He is closely followed by under-pressure Birmingham City boss Chris Davies, at odds of 4/1 as they linger in 14th place, with Sheffield Wednesday’s Henrik Pedersen up next, at 5/1.