Jamie Redknapp shares what Southampton players are telling him about Ralph Hasenhuttl

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Southampton landed Ralph Hasenhuttl as their new manager last week.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he has spoken to Southampton players about their new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl – and they have been impressed so far.

Just days after a 2-2 home draw with Manchester United, Southampton sacked boss Mark Hughes, which wasn’t a huge surprise after just one Premier League win this season.

The Saints didn’t wait around to land a replacement, as Austrian Hasenhuttl came in as their new manager, though he did watch from the stands as Kelvin Davis took charge of the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Hasenhuttl took charge of Southampton for the first time on Saturday afternoon, but couldn’t get off to a perfect start as the Saints slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City.

Jannik Vestergaard’s error for the winning goal summed up the huge job Hasenhuttl has on his hands, and it doesn’t really get any easier for them either; it’s Arsenal next up at the weekend.

Some have concerns that Hasenhuttl isn’t the right man for the job because of his lack of experience in English football, but his superb results with Ingolstadt and RB Leipzig suggest he could be a forward-thinking appointment.

Now, ex-Saints midfielder and current pundit Redknapp has suggested that he has spoken to Southampton players about Hasenhuttl, and they have been impressed so far – but he urged the Austrian to give Charlie Austin a run in the team to get Southampton firing again.

“The upcoming transfer window will be the most important for Southampton since their return to the Premier League,” said Redknapp. “They have been a selling club in recent seasons, but now new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl must spend wisely to get them out of trouble. He should also give Charlie Austin a run in the side. They are in real need of more firepower. Only Manchester City and Chelsea have had more shots than Southampton yet they have scored just 13 goals.”

“Their rivals are rallying, too. Cardiff — who beat them on Saturday — are starting to pick up points, Burnley got a vital win over Brighton and Huddersfield are improving. Southampton players I speak to say they have been impressed by Hasenhuttl since he has arrived but he will be judged on whether the players he brings in can inspire a turnaround,” he added.