Southampton next manager: Portsmouth hero shock contender for St Mary's job

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

29 Apr 2025, 4:20 pm

Portsmouth's rivalry with Southampton is no doubt one of the fiercest in the country.

After Pompey secured their Championship survival last week with two games to spare, it is now certain that the South Coast derby with occur next season for the first time since 2019.

This is thanks to Southampton’s struggles in the top-flight, with the club currently bottom after they became the quickest side to be ever relegated from the Premier League.

With the anticipation for the derby next season at a high, there could be a potential twist in the match, which will no doubt disgruntle a few of the Fratton Park faithful.

Ivan Juric was sacked by Southampton after their relegation was confirmed (Credit: Imago)

Gary O’Neil a contender for Southampton manager position

There is no doubt that Southampton need a big rebuild this summer. As it stands, the Saints could still end the campaign as the joint-worst team in Premier League history as they sit on 11 points with four games left to play.

The club have now gone through two permanent managers this season after Ivan Juric was sacked for his failure to keep Southampton up.

With the Saints now eyeing a replacement, former Portsmouth star Gary O’Neil has been linked with the job.

The former midfielder came through Pompey’s academy and made nearly 200 appearances for the club before leaving in 2007. During this time, he played a crucial role in Portsmouth’s promotion to the Premier League in 2003 when they won the First Division title.

Since retiring in 2019, he has stepped into management and was in charge of Wolves until December.

Gary O'Neil teams managed	Win percentage
Bournemouth	29.73
Wolves	31.75

Gary O'Neil has only ever managed in the Premier League

Now, according to Oddschecker (29 April), the 41-year-old is one of the favourites to take over at Southampton.

Some bookies believe the odds of him joining the Saints are just 5/2.

Portsmouth will play Southampton next season for the first time since 2019

O’Neil would ruin his Portsmouth legacy by going to Southampton

If O’Neil did go to Southampton, he would burn all bridges with Portsmouth.

The former Saints star was not just a player who was at the club for a few years, but instead was a key player who came through the academy in Portsmouth’s golden years.

For him to go to Southampton when Pompey are set to play them next season would be unforgivable.

Hopefully, this is just all speculation from the bookies and O’Neil finds a job elsewhere.

Gary O'Neil