Next Southampton manager: Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed as new Saints boss on two-and-a-half year deal

He will be assisted by assistant manager Kelvin Davis, head of goalkeeping Dave Watson and head of sports science Alek Gross

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been appointed as Southampton manager on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The Austrian, who left RB Leipzig at the end of last season, arrives with Saints 18th in the Premier League and replaces Mark Hughes who was sacked on Monday following a run of 10 games without a win.

He will be assisted by assistant manager Kelvin Davis, head of goalkeeping Dave Watson and head of sports science Alek Gross.

Chairman Ralph Krueger is delighted to get his man.

“The urgency to find a path back to our potential and to the results that we expect cannot be underestimated. For that reason, we are extremely pleased that Ralph Hasenhüttl has agreed to become our new manager and do all he can to help guide us back on that path.

“This manager change offers us a fresh start and, very quickly, Ralph emerged as our ideal candidate. As a coach, he embodies the passion, structure, communication skill set, work ethic and appetite for growth that we strive for in our Southampton Way. The quick, smooth and seamless negotiation process underlines the character of the person that he is.

“We have been aware of Ralph since his days at FC Ingolstadt, where he showed the qualities that we believe we need at the club. He has since gone on to develop those attributes with a track-record of success in the Bundesliga and with a progressive and ambitious club in RB Leipzig.

“As soon as we met, Ralph’s enthusiasm for football was contagious and his hunger to take on a new and challenging job in the Premier League was evident. In our discussions, he very quickly aligned himself with the values and the vision of the club.

“Southampton Football Club’s past success was built on a clear identity. The foundation of this identity was a focus on developing players, whether from within our academy or after joining from other clubs. Ralph’s ability to teach the game and to develop talent is evident in his past and is a centrepiece of why he is the perfect choice to be the new Saints manager.”

Hasenhuttl brings with him a wealth of European experience (AFP/Getty Images) (Getty)

Hughes took over at St Mary's last March and guided them to Premier League survival and an FA Cup semi-final but was unable to inspire a better campaign this time around.

The former striker was rewarded with a three-year deal in the summer along with coaches Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

But those appointments proved Southampton's latest costly mistake, with the club getting rid of the trio a month after wielding the axe on vice-chairman of football Les Reed and technical director Martin Hunter.