Southampton officially confirmed that former Austria international Richard Kitzbichler has joined the club’s coaching staff on Friday lunch-time.
Twitter: #SaintsFC is pleased to announce Richard Kitzbilcher has been appointed as First Team Assistant Coach: https://t.co/uxqypjmIq2 (@SouthamptonFC)
Saints had been without a recognised number two after Danny Rohl departed for a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Kelvin Davis and Craig Fleming had both provided Ralph Hasenhuttl with support in the coaching setup, but an established figure has now been secured, with Kitzbichler arriving as the first-team assistant boss.
Plenty of Saints fans were relieved at the news of the former Red Bull Salzburg analyst and coach’s appointment…
Twitter: Such good news for Ralph and the club, a new assistant.
Welcome to #saintsfc Richard Kitzbichler
https://t.co/hkmUY1bfQD (@EditSouthampton)
Twitter: @SouthamptonFC @AnthonyGeurts1 I’ve a feeling I may spell this wrong a few times this season but welcome (@1885theartof)
Twitter: Great News! #SaintsFC
https://t.co/FEplInbN5M (@Madmarky01)
Twitter: That’s a huge relief for me can’t lie…#SaintsFC https://t.co/beAXdDbTat (@danhargraves_)
Twitter: I’m not going to pretend I have any idea who this guy is but he’s got an interesting CV and the issue has been reso… https://t.co/N95IvlsQM1 (@lucyhighnett)
Twitter: @SouthamptonFC Hasenhuttl and Kitzbilcher have to be the two best names in the PL. just need to sign Ricky Van Wolfswinkle to top it off (@Liam_Houghton98)
Twitter: @SouthamptonFC Are you trying to give the commentary team tongue twisters? Welcome to St. Mary’s Richard! (@RyanHan92251187)
Read Southampton’s verdict
Hasenhuttl has cut a lonely, frustrated figure in the technical area in both of Southampton’s first two games of the season.
He appeared to have a good relationship with Rohl, and it was a shame to see him leave. However, the former RB Leipzig man can hardly be begrudged for jumping at the chance to work at the most prestigious club in Germany.
Kitzbichler has pedigree following his time at Salzburg – a club which runs in a similar fashion to Southampton, with an ethos that involves developing and refining young players.
It is good to know that Hasenhuttl’s coaching setup is now complete, with an intriguing season ahead at St Mary’s.
