RALPH Hasenhuttl believes that the “new manager bounce” is certainly a factor when facing a side that has recently swapped bosses.
Clubs frequently improve once a new gaffer takes the reins, with many clubs banking on the immediate boost a fresh face can give a side to save their seasons.
Everton arrive to town this weekend with new manager Frank Lampard in tow, with the ex-Chelsea man winning two out of his first three Everton games.
Hasenhuttl is no stranger to arriving at a club midway through a season, becoming Saints boss back in December 2018.
After just one win in their first 15 games, Hasenhuttl lead Saints to two victories in his first three games.
Before Hasenhuttl took charge of the Hampshire side, they were averaging 0.6 points a game. In the 23 remaining games, Hasenhuttl more than doubled that strike rate, with Saints averaging 1.3 points after he became boss.
Speaking about the scenario when a new manager comes to a club, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: “In the beginning, there is a new energy, the team gets new energy.
“Also the first eleven very often changes because other players get a chance to play.
“That freshens up everything, then everybody is alive.
“It's important that you keep this positive momentum running as long as possible.”
The Austrian then went on to explain
“What happens after the shot, the punch to start.
“Then you have to do the right things and you keep on running.”
It isn’t all roses for incoming managers, with Hasenhuttl pointing out some of the difficulties Lampard might face at Everton.
“This is the biggest challenge for a new manager that is coming in.
“Because you have your own philosophy, maybe the players don't fit perfectly.
“You have to find out who is fitting the best to your shape.
“And then there are some winners, some losers in the team. It is important that you become aware of this.”
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