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Nathan Jones will be Southampton’s new boss and could be in the dugout this weekend for the club’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Southampton made the decision to part ways from Hasenhuttl after 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 in 18th place after having won just once in their last nine games.
Luton manager Nathan Jones has emerged as an early frontrunner for the Southampton job after compensation was agreed with the Championship side and talks cleared
Southampton then turned their attention to Jones, who is currently in charge of Luton Town in the Championship.
Southampton and Luton have agreed on compensation linked to a deal, although the number has not yet been disclosed, and the second-tier side confirmed on Monday that they have given the Saints permission to speak with 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 ten places ahead of the first league table.
But the match will give Jones a chance to shine. Liverpool are currently struggling for form in the league – although they beat Tottenham on Sunday – and a win over Jurgen Klopp’s team would certainly have Southampton fans on their side.
Southampton have won just three of their 14 league games so far this Premier League season
Southampton confirmed Hasenhuttl’s resignation in a statement Monday morning
Jones’ potential appointment comes shortly after Hasenhuttl was fired. The 55-year-old manager received his marching orders on Monday morning, following their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle 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 dismal form.
Southampton also announced that first-team assistant coach Richard Kitzbichler had also left.
In a statement, the club said: “Hasenhüttl, who was appointed in December 2018, is leaving because he has made significant contributions to the club, oversaw some memorable achievements and also played a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing team. .
“But we now believe it’s an opportune time to make a change.
The Austrian admitted on Sunday that he saw no way out of his team’s poor competition form
The young Southampton side have won just one of their last nine games in the Premier League
“Everyone involved with the club would like to sincerely thank Ralph for all his efforts, as well as the unwavering dedication he has shown throughout his time as manager.
First team leader Coach Rubén Sellés will take over the interim lead for our game on Wednesday evening. The club will announce a permanent replacement in due course.’
Sportsmail had reported on Sunday that after the defeat to Newcastle, Hasenhuttl’s time at the club was about to end.
His position at the club was on the smaller side after an eighth loss in 14 Premier League games, leaving him in the bottom three.
The hierarchy of the Saints was faced with the dilemma of whether to formally drop the ax before or during the World Cup, but they decided to make the decision Monday morning.
Southampton has been under Hasenhuttl since March. only 17 points gained from 26 matches
Jones could be in the dugout for Southampton during their weekend game against Liverpool
On Sunday night, Hasenhuttl seemed almost resigned to his fate after the defeat to Eddie Howe’s high-flying side. When asked directly if he was afraid of being fired, he said, “I’ve made a lot of decisions since I’ve been here, but I don’t have to make these.”
More tellingly, when asked if the 55-year-old could see a way out of the slump, he added, “No…. Not at the moment.”
When Hasenhuttl arrived in 2018, Southampton was in 18th place before taking them to safety that season.
In the three subsequent campaigns, Southampton finished 11th, 15th and 15th, but they have taken a gloomy shape in recent months.
Since March of this year, he has amassed just 17 points from 26 games, with the South Coast team conceding a whopping 54 goals in that period.
Hasenhuttl leaves with a record 60 wins from 173 games – a win ratio of 35 percent.
Southampton have just two games left before the break from the World Cup – a Carabao Cup draw with Sheffield Wednesday in the middle of the week and a trip to Anfield to play against Liverpool next Saturday.
The club’s hierarchy is faced with the decision to make an appointment for the tournament in Qatar before half-time, or to wait a little longer.
Jones is highly regarded for his impressive body of work on Kenilworth Road.
After leading them to League Two promotion, he had the Hatters in second place in League One before being poached by Stoke City in January 2019.
However, he enjoyed a miserable spell with the Potters, which lasted 10 months at the club and won just seven of his 38 games in charge.
Luton Town manager Jones is the early favourite, with the Welsh manager highly regarded after his impressive body of work at Kenilworth Road
Jones returned to Luton as manager in May 2020, putting them to safety before being established as a championship outfit.
They remarkably made it to the play-offs last season before eventually losing 2-1 to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
The Welshman was subsequently named EFL’s Championship Manager of the Season for 2021-22.
Others associated with the job early on include River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo, former Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen.