Ralph Hasenhuttl: Southampton sack the ‘Alpine Klopp’ after three PL wins in 14
Southampton have sacked manager Ralph Hasenhuttl with the Saints in the Premier League relegation zone after their 4-1 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
Miguel Almiron seventh goal of the season opened the scoring for Newcastle before Chris Wood, Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes added the other goals in a comfortable afternoon.
Southampton have now won just three of their opening 14 matches of the new Premier League season, while they have drawn three and lost eight.
Rumours were growing last night that Hasenhuttl – who has been previously nicknamed the ‘Alpine Klopp’ – would be sacked and the Saints board confirmed their decision on Monday morning.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm it has parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl. First Team Assistant Coach Richard Kitzbichler has also today left the club.
“Hasenhüttl, who was appointed in December 2018, departs having made a significant contribution to the club, overseeing some memorable results and also playing a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing squad.
“However, we now believe it is an appropriate time to make a change.
“Everyone involved with the club would like to express their sincere thanks to Ralph for all of his efforts, as well as the unwavering commitment he has shown throughout his time as manager.
“First Team Lead Coach Rubén Sellés will take charge of the side on an interim basis for our game on Wednesday night. The club will be announcing a permanent replacement in due course.”
Speaking after the heavy loss to Newcastle, Hasenhuttl believed his team were still fighting for him despite the negative results.
When asked whether or not he could see a way out of the difficulties hampering his team, Hasenhuttl replied: “No, at the moment.
“Because I cannot say that we don’t try a lot to change and to play football. I think we do it well, and we cannot say that the effort was not there. Until the last minute we tried and we were putting a lot of effort on the pitch.
“Everybody cannot say that the team is not fighting for it. But you know, we are not taking the reward for the effort we are putting on the pitch.”
He added: “It’s important, I think in our position now, that we do think back, because last year we were in a really difficult position. And it’s very quickly, I think, forgotten.
“So I encourage the players to really enjoy this moment that we’re in now, really try and soak in what they’re achieving. Because it was a very difficult game today, a really tough place to come.”
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