Aston Villa wanted Ralph Hasenhuttl last year but the Austrian may now be heading for the Southampton exit in the near future.
Villa made the decision to sack Dean Smith last season, pulling the trigger in early November after a mixed start to the season.
Sacking a boyhood Villa fan in Smith was far from an easy decision, especially as he guided the club to the Premier League and then avoided relegation.
Villa made a big move by appointing Steven Gerrard, but his move from Rangers to Villa Park isn’t exactly going to plan.
Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Leeds United leaves Gerrard under pressure, but even one of Villa’s alternative targets form last year isn’t safe.
Aston Villa wanted Ralph Hasenhuttl
One of the names Villa looked into was Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Smith’s final game was a 1-0 defeat away at Southampton and Villa were ironically keen on luring Hasenhuttl to Villa Park.
The Telegraph reported that Hasenhuttl featured prominently on Villa’s list to replace Smith, but they ultimately went with Gerrard.
Hasenhuttl’s results since that interest haven’t exactly been great.
After beating Villa in Smith’s final game, Southampton went on to win just six of their next 27 Premier League games and lost nine of their final 12.
This season isn’t going much better with five defeats in eight, winning just twice.
Eight wins in 35 since beating Villa is terrible form for Hasenhuttl and the Saints, and it could lead to a change in the near future.
The Athletic report that people inside Southampton think Hasenhuttl’s days are numbered at Southampton and he could be on his way out soon.
Some players are understood to have voiced concerns about Hasenhuttl and Southampton are allegedly in contact with other managers to potentially replace the Austrian.
Villa may not be loving life under Gerrard right now but it sounds like Hasenhuttl may be primed for the chopping block before the Liverpool legend.
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