EFL Managers of the Weekend: Which Managers Got It Right?

What a weekend of EFL football. 36 games played, 88 goals scored and 29 different winners.

But whilst we could applaud all the miraculous goal-scorers or the 11 men on the pitch, lets reward the main men who instigated their team’s win – the managers.

The EFL has welcomed plenty of new managers into this season – two of which feature in this article – and it seems they all have a point to prove. As for the ones who have been here before, some of them are only getting better.

Who in particular got their work spot on this weekend?

Will Still – Southampton

It took Southampton some poking and prodding to open their season account against Wrexham at the weekend, but did it come in style! Ryan Manning’s 90th minute free kick was wrapped into the side netting to cancel out the Welshmen’s early penalty lead at Saint Mary’s – though, that was not all to come.

27 shots, 45 touches in the opposition’s box and a woodwork hit later, the Saints finally grasped a second in the 96th minute. Who else but the club’s longest serving player and captain, Jack Stephens, to be the man at the back post responsible for Southampton’s match-winner?

(Southampton vs Wrexham Match Stats: FotMob)

But this isn’t about the two heroic goal scorers on the south coast, it is about their brand-new manager, Will Still. A Belgian-born Englishman, who arrived via Reims and Lens, after three incredible years in the French Ligue 1 across both clubs.

Still may be one of the most anticipated coaches to have arrived in England this summer, after he blew up on the internet for taking Reims on a 19-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1, despite not even having a UEFA Pro coaching license.

On Saturday afternoon, the managerial sensation looked composed in his technical area. A heavily invested Wrexham is certainly not the easiest side to face on opening day, especially having gone 1-0 down in the first half. But patience is a virtue and Will Still got his just rewards.

It was the perfect start to a Championship campaign and the right way to commence a marathon of promotion-chasing football.

"I couldn't have had a better introduction than that!"

Southampton boss Will Still reacts to his side's dramatic victory over Wrexham 👊 pic.twitter.com/dmFyC4HLFC

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 9, 2025

Gerhard Struber – Bristol City

Revenge is sweet – especially when you win 4-1 away at Brammall Lane against the team that thumped you 6-0 on aggregate in the playoffs last season. What a start that was for Bristol City and their new man in charge, Gerhard Struber (pictured).

Losing the much-idolised Liam Manning in the summer to another Championship rival in Norwich City straight after said defeat in the playoffs, added huge insult to injury. Bristolians will just be hoping that Struber isn’t in as much of a hurry.

The Austrian became a go-to at Red Bull Group, after spending four years combined with both New York Red Bulls and Salzburg. All before he joined FC Köln at the start of last season and got them promoted by winning the Bundesliga 2.

Struber is not a coach short of Championship experience either, after he saved Barnsley from facing the drop with an illustrious performance at Giffin Park in 2020.

The 48-year-old sure showed this prowess on Saturday, as Bristol City absolutely demolished a disheartened Sheffield United 4-1. A brace from Scott Twine and goals from Ross McCrorie and Anis Mehmeti got the job done by the 51st minute, welcoming the same excitement that the Robins finished on last season.

An impressive opening day win. 🔥

🤝 @fever_uk pic.twitter.com/FNnrvEeCyp

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) August 9, 2025

Now, Gerhard Struber has rapidly become a fan favourite in the South West and could be the man to take Bristol City that one step further.

Gary Caldwell – Exeter City

Exeter City have quickly stapled themselves into League One folklore since their anticipated promotion back in 2022. The Grecians are yet to finish below 16th in the three seasons they’ve now spent in the third tier and they still don’t look like budging.

Gary Caldwell has been Mr. Reliable down in Devon and looks like he has just reignited the winning spark back into his Exeter City.

They won 4-1 at the weekend. Not against any pushover; against Steve Bruce’s Blackpool. We all know the Tangerines have been occupying a torrid run of form in the last couple of years, but Exeter truly ran riot and advertised the game as a complete mismatch.

(Exeter vs Blackpool: FotMob)

The match-day tone was set after Caldwell’s men scored two within 20 minutes and although Blackpool’s Ashley Fletcher hit back with a return jab shortly after, that didn’t spoil Exeter’s party.

Two more second half goals from Jayden Wareham and Sonny Cox wrapped up the show, as the Grecians celebrated with backflips and terrace chanting.

The overall performance was a huge credit to the work Gary Caldwell has put into Exeter, as he has now achieved more wins in League One football out of any other previous Exeter manager. The Scotsmen has done so with a team that keeps losing its star players as well.