Southampton have confirmed the appointment of former RB Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following the sacking of Mark Hughes.
Hasenhuttl, 51, has put pen-to-paper on a two-and-a-half year deal at St Mary’s Stadium and will take over on Thursday. He will be supported by current first team assistant coach Kelvin Davis, head of goalkeeping Dave Watson and head of sports science Alek Gross.
The German manager will be in the stands as the Saints lock horns with Tottenham on Wednesday night, but will take charge of his first match against Cardiff on Saturday.
The former Austria international is renowned for taking charge of RB Leipzig in 2016 following their promotion to the top-flight, before remarkably guiding them to second place in the Bundesliga, finishing as second-highest scorers in the league.
He has also previously had a stint in charge of Ingolstadt, with whom he won promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club’s history.
Southampton currently sit in the relegation zone having only registered one victory this season, and club chairman Ralph Krueger expressed his delight at the appointment of Hasenhuttl.
Speaking to the club’s official website , he said: “The urgency to find a path back to our potential and to the results that we expect cannot be underestimated. For that reason, we are extremely pleased that Ralph Hasenhüttl has agreed to become our new manager and do all he can to help guide us back on that path.
“This manager change offers us a fresh start and, very quickly, Ralph emerged as our ideal candidate. As a coach, he embodies the passion, structure, communication skill set, work ethic and appetite for growth that we strive for in our Southampton Way. The quick, smooth and seamless negotiation process underlines the character of the person that he is.
“We have been aware of Ralph since his days at FC Ingolstadt, where he showed the qualities that we believe we need at the club. He has since gone on to develop those attributes with a track-record of success in the Bundesliga and with a progressive and ambitious club in RB Leipzig.”
Introducing your new #SaintsFC First Team Manager…
Welcome, Ralph Hasenhüttl!
pic.twitter.com/OBWme042IL
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 5, 2018
Southampton appoint ‘Austrian Klopp’
Hasenhuttl forged a formidable reputation in Germany for his playing style, and has been credited with playing a key role in the development of chief players such as Timo Werner and Liverpool’s Naby Keita.
His high-pressing philosophy has been likened to that of compatriot Jurgen Klopp, while his penchant for tracksuits over suits are also reminiscent of the current Reds manager.
In fact, Hasenhuttl’s arrival on English soil now means he is the second-tallest manager in the Premier League; second only to Klopp who stands at 1.93m in comparison to the former’s 1.91m.
Ralph Hasenhüttl becomes the second tallest manager in the Premier League (1.91m); Jürgen Klopp is the tallest (1.93m).
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— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 5, 2018
Klopp has previously stated about Hasenhuttl that he is a “Tall guy, a good guy as well. Very lively football, very aggressive, pressing, actually very lively approach.”
Speaking on the appointment, Sky Germany reporter Max Bielefeld also made the Klopp comparison, telling Sky Sports News: “Ralph Hasenhuttl could be a good fit for Southampton and I’m sure people would quickly start to like him in the UK.
“We remember a lot of his press conferences here in Germany where he used to joke around with the journalists just like Jurgen Klopp does.
“And, like the Liverpool manager, Hasenhuttl is an emotional guy on the sidelines, so sometimes he runs on the pitch after important goals to celebrate with his players just like Klopp did this weekend against Everton.”
Hasenhuttl has also been praised for his propensity to develop and nurture young talent, which will come as a significant bonus to the Saints who boast one of England’s most esteemed academies.
Bielefeld added: “Hasenhuttl is highly respected in Germany for his track record with developing young players.
“At RB Leipzig his style of play was built on a high-pressing and narrow 4-2-2-2 system. He used to recruit agile and physically powerful players which is important for his style of play.
“I think the current Southampton squad could be a good fit for his strategy. Hasenhuttl really wants to create an experience for the fans. I’m sure all Saints supporters would like his approach to the game.”
The post Southampton appoint Ralph Hasenhüttl as Mark Hughes replacement appeared first on Squawka News.
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