Southampton have sacked supervisor Ralph Hasenhuttl and are set to open talks with Luton boss Nathan Jones about taking cost of the Premier League strugglers. The south coast membership axed Hasenhuttl on Monday after their eighth loss in 14 league video games, a 4-1 defeat in opposition to Newcastle, left them languishing within the relegation zone. The membership stated in a press release that it was “an appropriate time to make a change”. “Hasenhuttl, 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,” the assertion stated.

Southampton seem more likely to transfer shortly to switch Hasenhuttl after being given permission by Luton to talk to Jones as soon as the Championship crew have performed their match at Stoke on Tuesday.

“Luton Town can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters’ match at Stoke,” stated a press release from the membership.

“We would like to place on record that the Premier League club have approached the board in the correct manner, for which we are grateful, and that the whole situation is extremely amicable with Southampton and with Nathan.

“As a membership we won’t be making any additional remark till the method is full.”

Jones has done an impressive job at Luton on a tight budget and led them to the Championship play-offs last season. The former Brighton defender, who originally took over at Kenilworth Road in 2016 and had a brief spell at Stoke before returning to Luton, has guided them to eighth place in the second tier this term.

Hasenhuttl runs out of time

If Jones is hired by Southampton, his first match is likely to be a daunting fixture at Liverpool on Saturday in the club’s final fixture before the World Cup break.

First-team coach Ruben Selles will take charge on an interim basis for Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday. Hasenhuttl took over from Mark Hughes at Southampton nearly four years ago and the Austrian’s highest finish in the Premier League was 11th in the 2019/2020 season.

He also led Southampton to the FA Cup semi-finals in the following season. Speaking after Sunday’s home thrashing by Newcastle, Hasenhuttl said he was just focusing on his job despite growing speculation over his future.

“I’m by no means involved, I at all times attempt to do my job and that is all that pursuits me,” the 55-year-old told the BBC. Hasenhuttl survived two 9-0 defeats, against Leicester and Manchester United, during his time in charge.

Promoted

He also kept his job even though Southampton lost nine of their final 12 league matches last season. Hasenhuttl’s coaching team was overhauled during the close season but those moves failed to pay off and the Southampton hierarchy finally ran out of patience following just one win in nine matches, stretching back to August.

He is the fifth Premier League manager to be sacked this season after the departures of Scott Parker (Bournemouth), Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea), Bruno Lage (Wolves) and Steven Gerrard (Aston Villa).