The Saints Under-23s coach’s comments suggest that the first-team manager’s revolution and feelgood effect has not been confined to the seniors.
Southampton Under-23s boss Radhi Jaidi has explained how Ralph Hasenhuttl’s arrival at St Mary’s has provided the academy players with a huge boost.
The Austrian has very much hit the ground running at the club in terms of tactics, results, transfers and off-the-pitch matters, the culmination of which is improved performances and exiting the Premier League relegation zone.
Numerous Saints players, including Nathan Redmond, Jan Bednarek and Matt Targett, have sung Hasenhuttl’s praises both in terms of their own performances and for the team as a whole, while most fans appear delighted with his results, passion, and likeable personality.
Meanwhile, the Southampton U23s are also performing well this term, sitting joint top in their Premier League 2 division, nearing qualification in the Premier League Cup and assured of a place in the knockout stages of the Premier League International Cup, as noted on the official club site.
Hasenhuttl has made use of numerous academy players since his arrival, including Yan Valery, Josh Sims, Tyreke Johnson, Callum Slattery and Kayne Ramsay, according to the Daily Echo, and spoke to the press this week about how he is hoping to help develop a new generation of homegrown talents.
Speaking to the official Southampton site, Jaidi stated that, far from being a hindrance in terms of seeing some players unavailable each week, the fact that Hasenhuttl is eager to give youth a chance has served as huge motivation for his young players.
“It makes it a pleasure for me, not hard, because, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re working for – developing players and giving them the opportunity to compete at the highest level,” he said. “It’s been really pleasing to see some of the boys being involved in the first team or on the bench.
“That will serve as motivation for the rest of the boys, who didn’t get the opportunity yet. It’s been really positive and gives the boys hope.”
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