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No longer a coach in Southampton: Ralph Hasenhüttl
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Clive Mason/Getty Images
The English first division football team FC Southampton has separated from team manager Ralph Hasenhüttl.
This was announced by the Saints the day after losing 4-1 at home to Newcastle United and falling to 18th place in the table.
For the time being, assistant coach Ruben Selles will look after the club of German national player Armel Bella-Kotchap.
According to the club, Hasenhüttl made “a significant contribution” and gave the club some memorable games.
In addition, the Austrian had "played a key role in the development of the club's infrastructure, identity and squad," according to the club officials in a statement.
"Nevertheless, we believe that now is the right time for a change."
The 55-year-old Austrian began his coaching career at SpVgg Unterhaching before moving to FC Ingolstadt in 2013 after two and a half years at VfR Aalen.
He led the then second division team into the first division.
For the 2016/2017 season, Hasenhüttl took over as coach at RB Leipzig and in his first year finished second with the Saxons, who were allowed to play in the Champions League for the first time in their club history.
Hasenhüttl moved to Southampton in December 2018.
In 2019 there was a historic 9-0 defeat against Leicester City, after which Hasenhüttl was allowed to remain in office.
After that, he stabilized the team and let modern football play.
Only the results were often missing in the hard-fought Premier League.
Under Hasenhüttl, the club only finished the 2019/2020 season (Eleventh) better than 15th place.
In February 2021, Hassenhüttl and his team lost again 9-0 - this time in the Premier League against Manchester United.
In the current season, the team had only three wins and three draws from 14 games.
Eight games were lost.
"We're below the line and in a very difficult situation at the moment," the 55-year-old admitted after Sunday's defeat.
His assistant and compatriot, former HSV professional Richard Kitzbichler, also has to go with Hasenhüttl.
kjo/dpa