Despite never kicking a ball or setting foot onto the pitch, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl stole the headlines for his post-match reaction to last night’s win over Liverpool.
The manager shed tears of joy as he fell to his knees on the final whistle, a heart-warming response to his side’s 1-0 victory against the reigning Premier League champions.
An incisive and intelligent James Ward-Prowse free kick was met by a superbly executed chip from Danny Ings which dinked over Allison into the Reds’ goal.
The Saints then offered up a dogged and deep defensive display which was enough to keep the likes of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino off the scoresheet.
The upset garnered widespread attention, but it was hard not to be heartened by Hasenhuttl’s unimpeded flow of emotion. The Saints manager picked up points against Jurgen Klopp’s side for the first time during his stint on the south coast, with the German having won all of his previous clashes with the current Southampton boss.
The victory takes the Saints up to sixth place in their quest for European football, whilst Manchester United can usurp Liverpool’s top spot if they win their game in hand against Burnley.
Football fans of several persuasions took to Twitter to share their delight at Hasenhuttl’s unreserved show of emotion:
Twitter: @UTD_Tommy11 @sfcdannnn He’s top top drawer… unbelievably rare to see that much emotion from a manager, so refreshing and nice to see. (@UtdGeorge00)
Twitter: @sfcdannnn I absolutely love him, backed him even after the 9-0 and so happy to see him succeed (@UTD_Tommy11)
Twitter: Hassenhuttl in tears after the final whistle, I don’t see how you can’t love man
https://t.co/NOX7E44std (@sfcdannnn)
Twitter: @ScamwellTarly Hassenhuttl is awesome and his work with Saints had been a joy. Tears on a January Monday were a little much for me though. (@eric_ital)
Twitter: @sfcdannnn What a manager (@RealistGlizzy)
Twitter: @sfcdannnn you genuinely can’t hate him man (@thfcelso)
