Southampton Sporting Director Johannes Spors has had a turbulent few months as he looks to rebuild the Saints and it hasn’t gone as smoothly as the club may have liked, with promise-man Will Still being sacked in November by Southampton.
Still wanted his Southampton team to adopt a playing style that consisted of delivering crosses into the box, but this was an approach that proved unsuccessful on the whole.
His striker signing, Damion Downs from FC Köln, was not a helping hand for Still, and didn’t bring goals or a much-needed physical presence.
Through his and others’ faults, Still was sacked by Southampton and replaced by young manager Tonda Eckert.
Eckert, a coach who likes blooding youth, through his previous academy roles, has also not played Downs. Clearly, it has turned stale fairly quickly, between Downs and the club.
Damion Downs is a 21-year-old American striker, who remains highly-regarded in Germany and he was signed by the Saints in a £7m deal from FC Köln this summer.
But after a dismal start to life in England, the Saints are willing to part ways in January – on one condition.
Downs is attracting Bundesliga interest, but will not be allowed to leave, even on loan, unless a replacement is found first, reports the Athletic.
Saints have not received any formal enquiries yet, but it seems a matter of time before offers come flooding in.
Downs scored 11 goals and created 4 in the Bundesliga. 2 last season, and despite a tricky period on the south coast of England, is seen as a striker well suited to German football.
Downs clearly has potential, but the physical levels in England have been difficult for him.
Ultimately, Sporting Director Johannes Spors will take the blame for this transfer, though other moves to bring in players like Leo Scienza and Caspar Jander have proved to be good ones.
Both parties, Downs and Southampton, will hope to swiftly move on from this poor transfer if a move away comes into fruition in January.
