Southampton Football club have sacked Ralph Hassenhütl. Ralph is the fifth Manager to be sacked int he premier league this season. His sacking comes seventeen days after Steven Gerard lost his job at Aston Villa.
A statement on the club website reads:
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.
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.
Ralph's removal was not unexpected with Southampton having lost eight of their fourteen games this season. The 1-4 home defeat to Newcastle United yesterday appears to have hastened a decision which was already in the works. Rumours that a replacement manager would be sought during the break for the World Cup had gathered over the last week or so.
Having sacked Ralph, Southampton have moved swiftly and have already been in contact with Luton Town and started discussions with their manager Nathan Jones. If appointed this would be Nathan's first job in the top flight of English football.
Luton are currently eighth in the Championship.
When writing about Steven Gerard's firing I predicted another firing before the league halts for the World Cup and, sadly, I was correct.
Who will be next?
It's difficult to include Bournemouth's Gary O'Neil as he is doing an interim job. But you would think the teams trajectory - only one win in the last seven, and four consecutive losses - will sharpen the owners search for a permanent replacement to Scott Parker.
Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest is an obvious choice, but it may be the club are willing to maintain stability in management and look to be a bounce back club, accepting that chasing survival in the Premier League may not be sensible.
That being said, Forest in last place are only four points below Leicester City in fourteenth place. Leicester's three wins in the last five games may have eased pressure on Brendan Rodgers, but a slip in form could easily drag his tenure into question.
Similarly David Moyes at West Ham United and Frank Lampard at Everton must be considered at risk.
Jesse Marsch at Leeds United is also a consideration, though their thrilling 4-3 victory against a Bournemouth side who had taken a 3-1 lead must have provided some breathing space.
Were West Ham or Everton to lose both their forthcoming cup game & league game I can envisage either club taking the view that the world cup break is an ideal time to find a new manager and give them time to work with as much of the squad as is available.
In other big news Fenway Sports Group have put Liverpool up for sale. They purchased the club for £300 million on 2010. In April 2021 the club was valued at $4.1 billion. (about £3.5 billion). Assuming they look to realise more than that a return of about 1200% over twelve years is not shabby.
The big worry for Liverpool fans will be a takeover which leaves them with large debts that will take money which could be spent on players of facilities. We can see the effect that has had on Manchester United.
There will also be a question mark on whether funds will be available for the January transfer window. It's not when Jurgen Klopp generally does big business, but there may be positions he wishes to strengthen this season.
I wrote recently about the allure of the EPL and it's teams. I'm sure there will be interested groups. Some LFC fans will be happy to see the back of Fenway Sports Group. The hope will be they are not about to move from a frying pan into a fire.