Damn, end of an era. The right time to part ways and I’m looking forward to seeing who we bring in for this next chapter, but can’t help but feel pretty deflated for Ralph. Also this announcement via press (BBC Solent, Athletic, and now Telegraph) **** doesn’t sit well with me. Just put a statement out and be done with it
Yes and it had to come but I wish him every success in whatever he chooses to do. He's worked his socks off for Saints and I never felt his heart was anywhere else whilst he was here. Thoroughly decent and honest guy, not often found within the ranks of football.
I'm convinced there's been some vindictive back stabbing within the club for a while now. That story in the Mail a couple of months back made me feel sick.
Nah next Saints manager is a tiny market influenced heavily by betting. Could easily be a few fans lumping on him after reading rumours on forums/Twitter.
Pretty sad to see Ralph go. We had some great results and stunning performances along the way, but the last 9 months, just haven’t been good enough. No consistency, no structure and looks like he had lost the players as well as the fans. Really hope it’s not Jones though as the new manager, but if it is, he’ll need full support from not just the fan base, but from SR as well.
It's a relief that Saints have acted now before the game on Wednesday. It would have been completely farcical if Ralph was still in the dugout for the game and it wouldn't have been fair on anyone, particularly Ralph.
And I'm yet to see the early front runner for a managerial position with the bookies actually get the job!
Whilst the sacking of Ralph is undoubtedly good news based on results, it does come with a tinge of regret. Yes, I've been pretty vocal about being Ralph Out, and I'm not upset he's gone. It's ultimately the right decision. But that doesn't mean I can't recognise the good he did, and what should have been. Keeping us up with a squad sapped of everything by Mark Hughes, devoid of confidence and talent. Arsenal & Tottenham at home early days. Portsmouth away. The lockdown form, culminating in sitting top of the table. High intensity attacking play. Liverpool at home. Tottenham away. Chelsea home. The highs of his tenure were absolutely incredible ... the potential was there to be so, so, so good. I truly believed in what he was doing for a long time. But it changed. We got found out. He lost his way, our identity disappeared - scarred perhaps by the 9-0s. Everything changed around him, and he couldn't break the rut and get us back to those highs. The 9-0s, the multiple piss poor runs of form and a team that at the end had no identity, looked devoid of confidence and no faith or fight for the manager. Its a shame it came to this, it really is. Whilst I'm not disappointed that he's gone, and i do very much feel this is the right decision, I am regretful at what could have been. Because it should have ended differently, and it should have been amazing. Yes it soured at the end and he ultimately stayed too long, but ultimately he deserve my thanks and good luck, for the hardwork and dedication you have shown to my club, but we move on to a new era wirh fresh optimism, ideas and input that the club needs.
Full statement: 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.
Should have gone during the summer. That aside, thank you for your efforts Ralph. It's a shame its ended like this. I'll always be grateful for the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford for Mini Lincolns first away trip. Good luck with the rest of your career.
Tom, you are too ferociously pro-Ralph. To the point that you are just as biased as those who complain about him all the time. Terms like 'back-stabbing' are totally hyperbolic and ungrounded. You refuse to believe that Ralph rubbed a few players up the wrong way, but you're more than willing to believe that the players are capable of being mutinous and 'back-stabbing'. None of us know the truth, let's just wait for any evidence to come out before expressing wild views like this.
Where did I say it was the players? Someone has clearly been leaking **** to the press. It could be someone from SR, it could be someone who works at the club, it could be one of Ralph's backroom staff. Either way, I really don't like it.
Player or staff, you have no evidence at all that anyone at the club was stabbing Ralph in the back. When the Mail article came out you claimed it was made-up nonsense. Now you insist that someone has in fact been speaking to the press.
