Southampton correspondent Dan Sheldon has claimed that Ralph Hasenhuttl will have a ‘decision to make’ if Aston Villa approach him as a possible manager.
Dean Smith was sacked as Villa’s manager at the weekend after a run of poor form which saw the club lose five games in a row,
The Saints manager has been one name recently linked with the vacant role at Villa Park. Indeed, an article by The Telegraph claimed that Hasenhuttl is supposedly of interest to the Aston Villa hierarchy.
While talking about the rumours on the Total Saints podcast, Sheldon claimed that he would be ‘shocked’ if the Southampton boss forced a move, but did add ‘stranger things have happened’.
The Athletic writer explained his thinking, saying: “I’m not entirely sure that that [Villa going for Hasenhuttl] will happen. It may do and then the club will have a decision to make, and Ralph will have a decision to make.
“But I’d be shocked, very shocked. He’s very secure in his job at Southampton, he likes the people he works with, which is clearly important and he has a good relationship with all of them.
“So yeah, I’d be very surprised if Ralph was to be the one that sort of kicked up a fuss and demanded to go to Aston Villa. But, you know, stranger things have happened, but I can’t see it happening.”
TIF Thoughts on Ralph Hasenhuttl and Aston Villa…
At one point in this season, those involved with Southampton may have not been so sad to see Hasenhuttl leave the south coast club. After all, it wasn’t until their ninth game of the season that they actually won a league game.
However, things have changed for the better recently as the Saints have won three of their last four Premier League games, drawing the other. The change in form now sees Aston Villa languish three places and four points behind Hasenhuttl’s men.
If Villa were to try and poach the Austrian coach, it would not be the first time the Midlands club had made a move for an individual connected with Southampton in recent times.
Would you want Ralph Hasenhuttl as Aston Villa manager?
Yes
No
Of course, over the summer, the Villans poached Danny Ings from the Saints, and they also tried to convince captain James Ward-Prowse to join.
With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a shock if they did come knocking for Hasenhuttl.
In other news: Journalist highlights the Aston Villa summer signing who “there are question marks over”