The Southampton job would be a ‘great’ one for Nathan Jones as the Premier League strugglers install the Luton Town boss as their first pick to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl at St Mary’s, Simon Jordan tells talkSPORT (7 November, 12pm).
Considering that Southampton’s overarching transfer policy revolves around signing exciting, up-and-coming talent, it makes sense that they would adopt a similar approach when pursuing a replacement for Ralph Hasenhuttl too.
The former RB Leipzig boss bit the bullet on Monday morning following the 4-1 home defeat to a ruthless Newcastle United. And Luton have now confirmed, via their official website, that one of the most admired head coaches in the EFL has been granted permission to speak to Southampton regarding a potential move to St Mary’s.
Southampton target Luton Town boss Nathan Jones after Ralph Hasenhuttl exit
“It would be a great job for him,” former Crystal Palace owner Jordan says of 49-year-old Jones, who led an unfancied and unfashionable Luton team into the Championship play-offs last term.
“I don’t know how great it would be for Southampton given their primary focus is to stay in the Premier League. He may well build them a side. (Targeting Jones) may be because they’ve got young players. (Perhaps) they feel that a manager who has managed further down the pyramid will be less difficult to manage, in terms of demands.
“But Southampton have to stay in the Premier league. So it’s a curious appointment. I know that he’s doing OK at Luton but I know there’s a departure between Southampton and Luton.”
Jones, once an assistant coach at Brighton and Hove Albion, is totally unproven at Premier League level. His appointment would represent a risk for a side fearing a return to the Championship. Jones has shown during two spells at Luton, however, that he can construct a team greater than the sum of it’s parts; outstripping rival teams with, on paper, greater and more experienced squads.
Can the Saints survive?
Former Saints boss Graeme Souness, meanwhile, believes Southampton’s recruitment strategy is a major reason why they currently find themselves stuck in the Premier League’s relegation zone. The Saints have some of the most promising young talent in the division. What they also have, however, is a dearth of top-quality talent at the peak of their powers.
“Curious recruitment, knowing you’re going to be in a dogfight. The priority is to stay in the Premier League. It’s not about building a team for three or four years’ time,” says Souness, highlighting the departures of Fraser Forster, Oriol Romeu and co.
“They got rid of senior players and replaced them with kids.”
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