Ralph Hasenhüttl is a popular coach. He belongs to that kind of coaches that earn the respect from the entire league thanks to his work ethic and charisma. His Southampton is a very recognizable team. Uncomfortable for the big fishes and a tough opponent for those of their size.
Every Premier League fan has ever enjoyed of his football. Pure German School: 4-2-2-2 high pressure and verticality. Key names from this season: Mohamed Salisu, Armando Broja and James Ward-Prowse, the captain. An extraordinary player of who will talk about in another occasion.
“I always wanted to prove to myself that I could very well work for a club for a longer period of time. “Hopefully it will be five and a half years here, that’s a damn long time in modern football, and then that’s probably it”, said Hasenhüttl to Kicker.
The Austrian expressed that five and a half years is a huge quantity of energy and he does not think of himself to go beyond that: “I want to put Southampton on a very healthy footing by 2024, but then that was it”.
“Then I’ll be 57 years old and I’d like to experience other things and not sit on the bench like Roy Hodgson at 74. Definitely not”, he concluded.
Ralph Hasenhüttl seems to have it clear. The truth is that he was one of the first coaches to develop the German football style in England, with positive outcomes. New proposals are always appreciated, as richness is within diversity.
Thanks to their leader, Southampton is capable of giving master classes like in their last game against Tottenham. However, we will only be able to keep enjoying of his game until 2024. It will be a painful loss because, for the fans of this league, Ralph is already one of us.
Translated by Guillermo Bermejo.
Main image: Twitter @SouthamptonFC.