SAINTS reportedly plan to give manager Ralph Hasenhuttl more time to turn their situation around, despite increasing pressure.
The Austrian boss has been in charge since December 2018 and only three current Premier League managers have held their post for longer.
Former RB Leipzig boss Hasenhuttl has kept the St Mary’s side in the top division consistently since arriving, even under significant financial constraints dictated by previous owner Gao Jisheng.
However, Sport Republic were in attendance on Saturday to see Saints fall to a third successive defeat when Everton came from behind to win 2-1.
The pressure has ramped up on Hasenhuttl with just 12 points earned from their previous 20 Premier League matches – a run stretching back to March of last season.
Saints are just one point above the relegation zone and with the trip to rampant Manchester City up next, it is realistic to expect they could slip down further before next Monday.
However, The Athletic report it is unlikely the club will sack Hasenhuttl imminently, despite their claim some within the club believe he is on borrowed time.
The report extends to some sources, unverified by the Daily Echo, suggesting Hasenhuttl has ‘no relationship’ with his players.
As the Daily Mail reported this summer, they add some players wanted Hasenhuttl to leave following the conclusion of last season.
Sport Republic backed Hasenhuttl in their first off-season and replaced three first-team coaches, signing 10 players with nine joining the first-team squad for this Premier League campaign.
The majority of those were young, inexperienced players whom even the most optimistic of supporters or staff would accept will have peaks and troughs in performance and results.
Those same players who have been bought in and trusted by Hasenhuttl, with Joe Aribo, Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios all making Premier League debuts, are likely to be behind the Austrian.
In every squad, some elements will not be in support of the management – typically due to the nature of their role in the squad, which, in football, is often changing.
The Athletic’s report adds how Saints, like every club, have sounded out potential future managers and maintain those relationships as they progress forward.
Hasenhuttl indicated his satisfaction with his side’s performance versus Everton, saying “I was not unhappy” but conceding another defeat was not satisfactory, adding: “What can I say?”
Prior to the match, he insisted he was “not under pressure” and only feels the pressure he already puts on himself to perform.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel