Southampton: Reports claim Saints to stick with Hasenhuttl ahead of appointing new head of recruitment

Reports have stated that Southampton will back their manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after their record-breaking 9-0 loss to Leicester on Friday evening.

According to Adam Leitch of the Daily Echo, Sam Wallace of the Telegraph and BBC Radio Solent reporter Adam Blackmore, Saints have no interest in sacking their boss in the current situation.

Instead – as Wallace explains – they are looking to sort the squad that Hasenhuttl has at his disposal and feel that the problems lie there, whilst the appointment of Ross Wilson’s replacement looks to be imminent.

Given that these sources are closest to the club and are likely to give the most accurate information, these reports have to be believed.

The introduction of a senior recruitment figure may well be a crucial step in putting down some of the plans that will return the club to stability too – and could act as a guarantee to Ralph that things will turn around eventually.

The message that they are sending out is a good one for Saints fans – the majority of whom seem willing to back Hasenhuttl, who has limited resources to work with in comparison to what he needs.

A series of transfers that, for whatever reason, haven’t worked out have left the club tied up in terms of the funds that they have to play with.

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Players that are now under-performing are also on expensive, long-term contracts, meaning that some of those out on-loan may need to leave permanently before the club can make significant signings.

Despite this being the case, it is the club’s poor management that has caused this situation and they need to sort it to retain their Premier League status for the future.

The fans will also need winning over after recent struggles, and Hasenhuttl will want assurances that he will have more budget to play with to actually implement his longer-term plans.

For the short-term, it is important that a reaction to the embarrassing 9-0 loss comes in the next week.

Saints have two away meetings with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and the league, whilst the next home game against Everton may be one that they target to get a crucial win given the Toffees’ poor form.

This weekend has seen Saints slip into the relegation zone but it is still possible for them to turn their loss to Leicester into a one-game blip rather than a moment that plagues their season.