Ralph Hasenhuttl’s time at Southampton on the brink of ending after 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle

While Eddie Howe took a moment to reflect on an outstanding first year at Newcastle, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s time at Southampton is about to end.

The Austrian’s position at the club is on the thin side after an eighth loss in 14 games, leaving him in the bottom three.

That they’ve reached just 17 points since March is a measure of a prolonged slump, with suggestions that the hierarchy of the Saints has decided to make a change, albeit with the dilemma of whether to formally drop the ax before or during the World Cup.

When the time comes, Hasenhuttl’s departure will end his four-year stint at the helm. On Saturday night, he seemed almost resigned to his fate after a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. 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.”

It was a very different mood at Howe’s press conference after a fourth win in a row cemented their position in the Champions League places.

Now Tuesday marks a year since he took charge of a club in serious relegation trouble, Howe said: “It’s important in our position that we think back to last year. We were in a difficult position, so I encourage the players to really enjoy this moment and enjoy what they are achieving.

“Last year was very difficult and it’s important for the players to look back and not get complacent because we know how quickly it can all change.”

The only hiccup in a tough win at Newcastle was the halftime withdrawal of Callum Wilson, who is hoping for a call-up to the World Cup in England.

But Howe downplayed any concerns, saying, “Callum wasn’t feeling well this week, but declared himself fit. He was a little lightheaded, but it was nothing physical.’