Ralph Hasenhuttl has been sacked by Southampton, sparking speculation that he could be reunited with Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson with current Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst under mounting pressure.
The 55-year-old Austrian paid the price after a poor run of form at St Mary’s with a 4-1 thrashing at home to Newcastle United on Sunday leaving them in the relegation zone. That defeat for Southampton came shortly after Rangers suffered a shock loss at St Johnstone in Perth. Hasenhuttl has now emerged as a possible candidate if the Dutchman, approaching his first anniversary as Rangers boss, fails to ride out the current storm with a section of the support chanting for their former midfielder to leave the club.
And the link with Wilson makes that prospect an intriguing one. The Rangers sporting director identified Hasenhuttl as the man to replace Mark Hughes at Southampton four years ago and he spoke of his disappointing when he lost Wilson to Rangers - who he described as a “famous and big club” in 2019.
He said at the time: “I had a very good relationship with him. I liked to work with him, he is a nice and fantastic character, a fantastic personality and I enjoyed every minute with him. I wish him all the best. He goes to a famous club to a big club and has a new challenge. It was, I think, about five years here. For us, it is a big loss for sure - but this is what happens in football. For us it will be important that we bring somebody new in and we will do this.”
A Saints statement read: "Southampton Football Club can confirm it has parted company with Men’s First Team Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl. First team assistant coach Richard Kitzbichler has also today left the club.
"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. 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."
Hasenhuttl joined Southampton from RB Leipzig who he guided to an impressive second place finish in their debut season in the Bundesliga, securing Champions League football. He then became the first Austrian to manage in the English Premier League when he succeeded Hughes.
He built sold foundations at the south coast club and finished 11th in the top flight but did suffer 9-0 defeats twice - at home to Leicester City and away to Manchester United - with his style based on the high tempo Gegenpressing which has earned him the nickname of the ‘The Alpine Klopp’.
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