Will Still has been sacked by Championship strugglers Southampton after picking up four wins in 16 games – and several names are already being linked with the job, including Frank Lampard.
Southampton confirmed on Sunday that they have parted ways with Still, who was only appointed in May following a successful spell at Ligue 1 side Lens.
“Will is a great person who gave everything to try and improve performances and results," said the club's group technical director, Johannes Spors, in a short statement on their official website.
“Ultimately that process has taken longer than any of us would have liked. By making a change now we believe it gives us the best chance of turning things around this season and climbing back up the league table."
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Southampton also announced the departures of Rubén Martinez, Clément Lemaitre and Carl Martin, who were part of Still's coaching staff, while Tonda Eckert, the club's under-21 head coach, will take charge on an interim basis.
Southampton's shortlist for next manager emerges
So, who could replace Still? A report from Alan Nixon suggests former Saints manager Russell Martin is currently 'in the frame' to return to St Mary's.
Martin, who was recently sacked by Scottish Premiership side Rangers following a torrid spell, is also said to be keen on the Norwich City job.
Another manager who is being linked with the role at Southampton is former Chelsea and Derby manager Frank Lampard, who is flying high in the Championship this season with Coventry City.
A report from Graeme Bailey suggests Southampton started working on a list of replacements for Still midway through last month, with Lampard being their so-called 'first choice'.
The club are also keeping an eye on several other managers, including Mark Robins of Stoke, England under-21 boss Lee Carsley and former Bournemouth and Wolves manager Gary O'Neil.
As mentioned above, Will Still was in the job for just five months, with Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Preston being the final straw.
The 33-year-old was determined to keep going. "I'm not going to give up, I'm not going to stop and I'll keep fighting as long as I have the opportunity to," Still told BBC Radio Solent after the full-time whistle.
"If I'd got an instant fix I would have found it about a month or two months ago, I don't think there is an instant fix to be really honest with you and I think whoever it is, there's a big job and I knew there was a big job coming in here."
He added: "I said a few weeks ago there were a lot of things that need to change that haven't changed yet because we haven't had the time to do that but there's still evidently a lot of work to do."
Topics: Southampton, EFL Championship
Jack Kenmare