The Saints boss says he is eager to trim his squad down further to no more than 20 players plus some academy stars.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested that Southampton could yet make a signing in January but reiterated that he wants to trim the size of his squad further.
Since taking over at St Mary’s last month, the Austrian has overseen nothing short of a revolution, with things changing for the better on the pitch – namely getting the club out of the Premier League’s bottom three – and off the pitch.
Numerous Saints players, including Nathan Redmond, Jan Bednarek and Matt Targett, have sung Hasenhuttl’s praises, while many of the fans are also delighted with his results, passion, and likeable personality.
However, when it comes to managing a football club and making tough decisions, it means some people will be unhappy, such as Wesley Hoedt, who seemed at a loss as to why he was offloaded this month, as quoted by the Daily Echo.
Manolo Gabbiadini has also left the club, returning to his native Italy by joining Sampdoria, and judging by Hasenhuttl’s comments this week, it looks as though more players could be moved on this month, with academy stars given a chance instead.
Asked by the Daily Echo what his optimum squad size for Saints would be, he replied: “I think not more than 20 – or 18 – and the rest with young players. We have the chance to teach them, the chance to have an eye on them, to show them they are part of our training group. That’s enough.
“Maybe if you have only one challenge in the year, like the Premier League, OK there are two cup competitions, but if you have only one competition it’s enough to have 18 and maybe a few young players behind.”
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