So finally after months of speculation and endless debate Ralph is leaving us. I thought it would be nice for Saints fans to send their good wishes and and share their best memories of his time here. For me it's a great shame that he couldn't get the current team to perform like they were in the first half of his tenure and now just feels like the right time for a change. I personally hope that he gets another good position and is a success there as I believe he is a good coach and an all round nice bloke who served us with passion and commitment. I would ask to keep the posts positive and respectful although I appreciate that some fans had lost faith in him a long time ago. Viel Glück! Ralph, you'll always be a Saint.
Out of the 46 managers we’ve had since 1892, only 7 have managed more matches for us than Ralph. Despite having a shoestring budget in the most competitive Premier League era ever, Ralph lasted longer than any of the 27 managers who came before him. We had some great moments and for that I’ll always be grateful.
I don't think we've ever had a manager who's taken us on such a rollercoaster ride as Ralph! He's been in charge of some extraordinary games (both good and bad). What stands out for me though is the 3-2 win at Spurs and giving Pep major headaches. In 4 years in charge, to get 3 positive results against this City side (minus Haaland obviously) is quite a feat. He always relished going up against the big sides and never took the "11 men behind the ball for 90 mins" tactic. Ok, it backfired a few times but his boldness contributed to some fantastic results against the big boys.
It's a real shame for Ralph that he didn't come in at the same time as SR because I think there's a really good coach in there and had he been given some resources rather than huge limitations and frankly idiocy by a company determined to give jobs to unskilled and inexperienced mates, he may have stood more of a chance. By the time SR came in, it was pretty much too late for him I think.
Ralph was a great guy and manager. He was passionate about Saints and everyone could see that. When he arrived he was a breath of fresh air, and for the period during and immediately after covid we were arguably one of the best teams in the league. He did us proud with virtually no money and stood by us despite this. I for one will miss him terribly, and wish him well wherever his future takes him. So long Ralph, thank you and farewell, we’ll always remember the good times!
I’m sad to see Ralph go - never any doubting his pure passion and commitment to Saints. As someone says, we’ve seen amazing highs and some real lows in the time he’s been in charge. It’s a shame that we just couldn’t quite make the experiment with those youngsters work, often due to injuries. I really hope we don’t now bring in a “steadying hand” type of manager who will ditch the youngsters and go back to the “tried and tested” journeyman professionals who may well keep us up for a season but give us no foundation to build upon. We have some cracking talented youngsters who wouldn’t get a game with many other PL teams and I’ll be seriously upset if we end up losing these players due to “short-termism” Thank you Ralph. Put your feet up, relax / have a chat with Nigel and come back to see us in a while when you can face St Marys again. I’m sure your family will be pleased to see more of you for a while. You are still an excellent coach and a great motivator - good luck in the future!
Exactly two years ago, we were top of the league. When we were good under Ralph, we were very, very good (let's omit the flipside to that for now). He's a good guy, he's been good for our club, and I wish him well.
I've never known such an enigma as a manager with such extreme highs and lows. One of the best teams in the league to the worst in a matter of weeks (or 15 minutes even). Very likeable guy and his passion was clear for all to see. He gave us some excellent football at times too and we managed to occasionally get one over the big teams again which we hadn't done since Ron. I'm glad he managed to get two positive records with us in our record away win at Newport as well as the record away win for either side in a south coast derby. Don't expect either of those to beaten for decades at minimum and feel privileged to have attended those two matches.
Was at Cardiff for his first game in charge. Lost a tight game 1-0 due to a Vestergaard brain fart, and of course the now traditional inability to score. Ralph came over to the fans afterwards and got a great reception. It’s sad he’s not felt able to do that recently, that rapport with the fans thing was a big part of his character. Good luck Ralph. Best Austrian since Mozart.
Yes I remember getting soaked on that day. Somewhat fitting there was a mini-hurricane yesterday just as I was getting to the ground!
All the best Ralph, great passion, some great moments(along with the bad), once a Saint, always a Saint. Really wanted it to work, could've been a long term manager who knocked back the big boys when they came calling, but it wasn't to be. Had a lot to deal with during the Gau years, which then seemed to knock his confidence, Shane as other said, SR and Ralph didn't arrive at the same time, could've been magical!
Good luck Ralph. I'm naive I know but I always love our managers and all our players including ex players, I so wanted Ralph to succeed. Often wish I supported another team but I can't. High point for me was hitting the top of the PL,, had to keep looking at the tables to soak it in, walked around with an self-satisfying inner glow for a week, kept breaking out with a rendition of "we're top of the league" much to the annoyance of Mrs Archer. Thank you Ralph.
Like Poch, he came in and made a difference, possibly a greater difference because Poch inherited a squad of very good players, who had been together for a while. I have said for a long time that Ralph made average players and an average squad look decent. His team gave meaning to the phrase “The whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts” (I may not have written that correctly) because we were, when playing with his press, able to match the best teams and look a very good side. Since dropping the press, we have seen that the individual parts of the squad, working more independently in a different system, are not a match for what he created when he first arrived. I am sure Ralph has his reasons for the changes in style, but he has to take responsibility for the changes and accept his part in his own demise. I loved his passion but felt uncomfortable with his touch line demeanour when he couldn’t turn things around and there were times when I genuinely felt concern for his mental well being. He can never be accused of not caring and I think he has a genuine love for the club. Whatever he does next, I wish him well.
Nobody can doubt his dedication and love for Saints. He put his heart and soul into the club at every level. Like most others, I really wanted Ralph to turn it around with these young new players but it wasn't to be. Hope he take a well deserved break from football and comes back rejuvinated and rediscovers his mojo. Thanks Ralph and all the best for the future forever a Saint!
Thanks Ralph. Most of what I wanted to say has already been posted. Definitely the most passionate manager we’ve had since WGS. Big, big shame it’s finished because he could have an absolute legend. In some ways he is already. Yep, always a Saint. Best for the future Ralph