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Nathan Jones is set to become the new Southampton boss and could be in the dug-out for the club’s Premier League clash with Liverpool this weekend.
Southampton made the decision to part ways with Hasenhuttl following their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
They felt it was the right time to sack the Austrian manager as the Saints are sitting in 18th place having won just once in their last nine games.
Luton manager Nathan Jones has emerged as an early front-runner for the Southampton job after compensation was agreed with the Championship side and permission given for talks
Southampton have subsequently turned their attention to Jones – who is currently in charge of Championship side Luton Town.
Southampton and Luton have agreed on the compensation associated with a deal, although the number has not yet been disclosed, with the second tier-side confirming on Monday that they have given the Saints permission to speak to Jones.
As a result, Jones could be in the dugout for Southampton this weekend when they take on Premier League giants Liverpool.
It will be a difficult opening game for Jones, with Liverpool sitting 10 places ahead of them in the top-flight table.
But the match will give Jones an opportunity to shine. Liverpool are currently struggling for form in the league – although they did beat Tottenham on Sunday – and a victory over Jurgen Klopp’s team would certainly get the Southampton fans on side.
Southampton have won just three of their 14 league games so far this Premier League season
Southampton confirmed the sacking of Hasenhuttl in a statement on Monday morning
Jones’ appointment will come shortly after Hasenhuttl was sacked. The 55-year-old manager was given his marching orders on Monday morning, following their 4-1 defeat on Sunday.
Hasenhuttl had been in charge of the club since December 2018 when he succeeded Mark Hughes. However, he will leave the Premier League side after a dismal run of form.
Southampton also announced that the first team’s assistant coach Richard Kitzbichler had also departed.
In a statement, the club said: ‘Hasenhüttl, who was appointed in December 2018, departs having made a significant contribution to the club, overseeing some memorable results and also playing a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing squad.
‘However, we now believe it is an appropriate time to make a change.
The Austrian admitted on Sunday he couldn’t see a way out of his side’s poor league form
Southampton’s young squad have won just one of their last nine games in the Premier League
‘Everyone involved with the club would like to express their sincere thanks to Ralph for all of his efforts, as well as the unwavering commitment he has shown throughout his time as manager.
‘First Team Lead Coach Rubén Sellés will take charge of the side on an interim basis for our game on Wednesday night. The club will be announcing a permanent replacement in due course.’
Sportsmail had reported on Sunday that following the defeat to Newcastle, Hasenhuttl‘s time at the club was on the brink of ending.
His position at the club was hanging by the flimsiest of threads in the wake of an eighth defeat in 14 Premier League games, which left his side in the bottom three.
The Saints hierarchy were stuck with the dilemma of whether to formally drop the axe before or during the World Cup, but they decided to make the decision on Monday morning.
Southampton have picked up just 17 points from 26 games since March under Hasenhuttl
Jones could be in the dugout for Southampton during their weekend clash with Liverpool
By Sunday night, Hasenhuttl appeared almost resigned to his fate following the defeat to Eddie Howe’s high-flying side. Asked directly if he feared the sack, he said: ‘I have taken a lot of decisions since I’m here but I don’t have to take this one.’
More tellingly, when the 55-year-old was pressed on whether he could see a way out of the slump, he added: ‘No…. Not at the moment.’
At the time of Hasenhuttl’s arrival in 2018, Southampton were lying in 18th place, before he guided them to safety that season.
Over the three subsequent campaigns, Southampton have finished 11th, 15th and 15th, but they have been on a dismal run of form over recent months.
Since March this year, he has picked up just 17 points from 26 games, with the south coast outfit conceding a whopping 54 goals during that period.
Hasenhuttl departs with a record of 60 wins from 173 games – a 35 per cent win ratio.
Southampton have just two games before the World Cup break – a Carabao Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday in midweek and a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool next Saturday.
The club’s hierarchy are faced with the decision of whether to make an appointment before the break for the tournament in Qatar, or whether to wait a little longer.
Luton Town manager Jones is the early favourite, with the Welsh manager highly-rated after his impressive body of work at Kenilworth Road.
After guiding them to promotion from League Two, he had the Hatters in second place in League One before he was poached by Stoke City in January 2019.
However, he enjoyed a miserable spell with the Potters, lasting 10 months at the club and winning just seven of his 38 games in charge.
Luton Town manager Jones is the early favourite, with the Welsh manager highly-rated after his impressive body of work at Kenilworth Road
Jones returned to Luton as manager in May 2020, leading them to safety before establishing them as a Championship outfit.
They remarkably reached the play-offs last season before eventually losing 2-1 on aggregate to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
The Welshman was subsequently named as the EFL’s Championship Manager of the Season for 2021-22.
Others to be linked with the job early on include River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo, former Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen.
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