RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted he is “not thinking” about his future at Saints after facing more questions following their 4-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The St Mary’s side were unable to replicate the 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium from last season with goals from Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland.

The result meant Saints have picked up 12 points from the last 63 available in the Premier League and they sit one point ahead of the relegation zone after nine matches.

Hasenhuttl had previously dismissed questions about his future despite media reports circulating this week suggesting time was running out for the Austrian, who has kept Saints in the top-flight for four years.

And asked similar questions again, Hasenhuttl responded: “I’m not thinking in this direction, to be honest. Never.

“Since I’m a manager, I think it’s the first time in my managerial career that I get such questions, to be honest,” he added.

“I’m 16 years a manager, I’ve never answered these questions and I really don’t use any energy thinking about it.

“The only way I think is that I have to do everything I can to help my team. This is the only thing I’m thinking about.”

The impossible task of facing champions City meant the four-match losing run was already looming over, while West Ham visit the south coast next weekend.

Hasenhuttl was asked if he has had any further clarity from Sport Republic, who were in attendance for the defeat to Everton at St Mary’s last time out, on his future.

“I know the clarity is that I come tomorrow and we have an indoor game and this is what we prepare for,” he said, with there being no time for any possible interaction with the bosses so soon after full-time.

“We must analyse this game very well now. Next week we have a tough home game against West Ham and this week with Monday gives us a little bit more time for preparing for a tough week with three games in seven days. This is intense.”

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