Saints are set to hold talks with Ralph Hasenhuttl in the coming days after sacking Mark Hughes.

Here is a profile of the man tipped to replace Hughes.

Who is Ralph Hasenhuttl?

Hasenhuttl is mainly known as the former manager of German side Red Bull Leipzig.

He guided Leipzig to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga in 2016/17 and took them into the Champions League during his three-year spell with the club.

The Austrian left Leipzig in the summer with 12 months remaining on his current deal after they failed to come to an agreement on a new long-term contract.

However, he proved himself to be a successful manager before taking over at Leipzig.

Hasenhuttl has taken charge of multiple clubs in the lower leagues of Germany and took FC Ingolstadt to the Bundesliga and kept them in the league which earned him a job at Leipzig. 

His football career started with him playing for Grazer AK and went on to make eight appearances for the Austrian national team.

And he revealed in an interview with Football Paradise that he always thought he would be a better coach.

Hasenhuttl said: “My talent in [playing] football was not the highest, but I was very hard-working, interested to learn and get better, and this focus made me better and better.

“It was perfect for me because I didn’t like to run.

“It also helped me play until I was much older. I love football and as long as my body allowed me to, I played this fantastic sport.”

What is his footballing philosophy?

Hasenhuttl has been nicknamed ‘Alpen Klopp’, or ‘Klopp of the Alps’, for his similar style of play to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

His Leipzig team was famed for its relentless pressing of opponents and he often deployed his side in a 4-2-2-2 formation.

He relied on having pace on either side of the pitch and would use two wingbacks with attacking midfielders ahead of them to cause as much damage as possible down the flanks.

Hasenhuttl’s history of recruitment suggests that he opts for young, athletic players which fits perfectly into Saints’ ethos.

The former Red Bull Leipzig manager said: “Jurgen [Klopp] was a very important and influential trainer for me and my development. Because I’m Austrian, my nickname became “Alpen Kloppen” (Klopp from the Alps).

“Maybe we look a little similar though I don’t have his hair or his glasses. So far only for reading!

“I have an interesting way of playing football, I believe, and I’m a good motivator, but my biggest strength is that I’m open-minded and empathetic.

“I’m always trying to find a good and close relationship with everyone in the club, players, trainers, staff.

“Leipzig playing against the ball is famous because of the perfect symmetry in their rows.

“It is a very intensive way to defend because we have a very high number of players to attack the ball, and when they win the ball from the opposition the whole team has to be prepared in where they have to be and how to attack.”

His Premier League ambitions:

During his time in Germany, Hasenhuttl didn’t shy away from the fact he wanted to manage in the Premier League.

The 51-year-old thinks if he is able to show his managerial ability in England’s top-flight, he will eventually be able to land one of the top jobs.

“There are a few German trainers in the Premier League and some players I’ve coached before.

“Pascal Gross from Brighton was telling me about how they play there, how they work there and he thinks I would enjoy it there, be a good fit.

“Of course, to be a trainer in the top 6, you have to show championships or cup you have won. Klopp [when he went to Liverpool] is bigger than I am now.”