The worst kept secret in football has now been confirmed as official after Saints confirmed that Hasenhuttl will take over from Mark Hughes

The club issued the following statement

Southampton Football Club can today confirm it has appointed Ralph Hasenhüttl as its new First Team Manager.

Hasenhüttl has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the club and will take over on Thursday.

The 51-year-old will be supported by existing First Team Assistant Coach Kelvin Davis, Head of Goalkeeping Dave Watson and Head of Sports Science Alek Gross.

Hasenhüttl has gained an exciting reputation in Germany for playing high-energy, attacking football whilst developing the young players within his squads. Most recently, he led RB Leipzig to the Europa League quarter-finals, having finished runners-up in the Bundesliga in his first season in charge.

RALPH'S ENTHUSIASM FOR FOOTBALL WAS CONTAGIOUS. IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, HE VERY QUICKLY ALIGNED HIMSELF WITH THE VALUES AND THE VISION OF THE CLUB.

Chairman Ralph Krueger 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.

“As soon as we met, Ralph’s enthusiasm for football was contagious and his hunger to take on a new and challenging job in the Premier League was evident. In our discussions, he very quickly aligned himself with the values and the vision of the club.

“Southampton Football Club’s past success was built on a clear identity. The foundation of this identity was a focus on developing players, whether from within our academy or after joining from other clubs. Ralph’s ability to teach the game and to develop talent is evident in his past and is a centrepiece of why he is the perfect choice to be the new Saints manager.”

Photo: Action Images

Wembley76 added 12:27 - Dec 5 Just hope that the fans (and club) give the man longer than they gave Claude Puel and, to a certain extent, give him a proper run at summer trading / pre-season planning and setting things in place for the 2019/2020 season. The team WILL be able to accrue enough points to avoid any relegation issues. However, future (successful) planning will take time...... and the new manager will need that from all sectors.

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PezzaSaint added 13:52 - Dec 5 Well it is good to hear from Clown Ralph that new Ralph's enthusiasm for football was contagious, would be somewhat concerned if he didn't have an enthusiasm for football! Wish Ralph Krueger would stop banging on about the 'Southampton Way', for non Southampton supporters this means selling all of your best players every year! Talk of the 'Southampton Way' should be kept quiet until we are hopefully well clear of the relegation places. Good luck to new Ralph!

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schatfield added 14:09 - Dec 5 I am excited, I think this guy will be very good and we are going back to the Southampton way after the dismal hire of Hughes. Even if we go down still, the football we play should be a lot more fun to watch than the past 6 months. Lets hope the fans give him and the players proper time to adjust before the usual boo boys get going.
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BaselSaint added 14:22 - Dec 5 Putting all of Krueger'S annoying 'on message` corporate speak to one side I do believe this is a good appointment. I am doubtful this would have been achieved with Reed there. This appointment genuinely has an element of vision about it. Let's hope Paul Mitchell follows. It's nice to feel optimistic :) C O Y R
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SanMarco added 14:40 - Dec 5 I am cautiously quite optimistic - signings and deadwood chopping needed in January though. Silk purse and sow's ear and all that...
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CautiousOptimist added 15:27 - Dec 5 I too am cautiously optimistic. It’s nice to be able to get back to that after the car crash of Hughes’ time in charge. I think Hasenhuttl’s name was mentioned before Hughes was appointed, so it’s encouraging that the club have got someone they’ve clearly had their eye on for a while. He’s got his work cut out mind you.... Given that we’re firmly on course for relegation I hope he can turn that round. Failing that, just give him time get the team right and accept that might be happening from the Championship.

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underweststand added 15:38 - Dec 5 The Spurs game , and to some extent the Cardiff match won't show much of RH's influence and he will surely depend on Kelvin's imput for the first few weeks until he learns everyone's name and where they play. We may see a revised formation and a change around of personnel and so it's difficult to make a snap judgement until he's managed 3-4 games - on his own, but if we get to the New Year with another 8 points...I'd say It would be very encouraging.

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bstokesaint added 12:11 - Dec 6 This is the most optimistic I’ve felt since Ronald’s appointment. This guy is used to winning things and I think the club have done well to get him. I just hope he gets the funds he needs in Jan, especially to bolster our abysmal defence.
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