Southampton plans to replace Will Still with an ex-Celtic manager.

Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Michael Carrick are among the candidates for the Southampton management position.

According to Teamtalk, the Saints have shortlisted both names after parting ways with Will Still on Sunday evening.

The Hampshire club has had a terrible start to the season, with a new manager being sought following a 2-0 loss to Preston North End on Saturday.

Despite this, the team only won two of its first 13 league games, placing them 21st in the Championship table.

The 33-year-old was only appointed this summer after previously working in France with Lens and Reims, but he has been stripped of his duties.

Southampton target Michael Carrick and Brendan Rodgers.

It is reported that Southampton are interested in re-appointing Russell Martin as manager following Still’s departure.

Gary O’Neil is also reportedly on their radar, but they will have competition from Wolves following the firing of Vitor Pereira.

Rodgers and Carrick are also thought to be under consideration, with all four players now available and unemployed.

The Northern Irishman left as Celtic manager last month, while Carrick was fired as Middlesbrough manager this summer.

It is known that Martin is currently the main contender for replacement. Still, the 39-year-old is open to the notion of returning, but nothing specific has been arranged.

Southampton return to action this midweek, and it’s unlikely that any appointments will be made by the time they meet QPR on Wednesday at 7.45pm.

The next Saints manager will be tasked with bringing the squad back up the Championship table, with the club aiming for promotion back to the Premier League.

They are 21st in the table after 13 games, 13 points below automatic promotion and 10 behind sixth-place Preston.

Southampton’s lack of defined plans is a concern.

Southampton gave Still just 13 games as manager and are currently considering four entirely different styles of managers as his successor.

Sport Republic has received a lot of criticism from supporters since taking over the Saints, and their complete lack of a clear plan has been a huge problem.

All of these choices have the ability to perform well with this club, which has the talent to move up the table fast if things start to click, but they would only serve to mask the broader concerns at hand.

However, there is no assurance that this group will suddenly gel just because of a change in manager, especially because Still did not appear to lose control of the dressing room during his brief tenure at Southampton.