A number of Southampton fans have welcomed a tweet from BBC Solent reporter Adam Blackmore outlining that Ralph Hasenhuttl will be staying on as manager despite the 9-0 thumping at Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Saints endured a torrid evening at Old Trafford, where their threadbare squad was put to the sword in clinical fashion by their title-chasing opponents. Southampton’s hopes of getting anything from the game were crushed inside the opening two minutes when Alex Jankewitz was shown a straight red card for a ridiculous challenge on Scott McTominay.
Southampton’s cause was not helped by some controversial decisions from referee Mike Dean and tight VAR calls going against them. As a result, the Saints have reportedly requested that Dean does not officiate their matches in the near future. However, there can be no real excuse for a second 9-0 hammering in little over 15 months.
The first of those defeats against Leicester at St Mary’s in October 2019 came during an even more trying period for Southampton. It left them looking in huge relegation trouble and the club’s board felt compelled to issue their full backing to him. It would therefore be no surprise if the same backing is applied after the latest battering, which has left the Saints 12th in the table.
Blackmore provided a firm update that Hasenhuttl will not be leaving the club any time soon and that he is in fighting spirits to ensure that they turn things around over the next few matches. That came in response to a fan questioning whether the Austrian might depart or be sacked.
Only one – 100% he stays and I already know he’s fine this morning and in fighting mode 💪👊👊#saintsfc https://t.co/mOuP7H13JY
— Adam Blackmore (@AdamBlackmore) February 3, 2021
Saints fans react to Blackmore’s update on Hasenhuttl
Many Southampton fans were thrilled with the update and believe that Hasenhuttl should rightly have the chance to turn things around and get the Saints back on track, having briefly topped the table in November. Most supporters believing he has had his hands tied recently due to the number of injuries in the squad.
Best news in a long time! Come on let’s bounce back from this… https://t.co/s0CCpWNsS9
— Jack ‘SFC’ Porter (@lifelongsaint03) February 3, 2021
Quite right too. Not one Saints fan wants him sacked, we love him. It’s the owner we want to get rid of. https://t.co/0MKzEnEQjp
— Chris Hall (@chrizzal) February 3, 2021
And he should stay. 9 first team players out and down to 10 men after 2 mins. No money to spend. What a job he has done in 2020. The guy needs some luck with injuries and we'll be fine.
— Street Kart Racing Official (@StreetKart) February 3, 2021
The relief to this tweet is huge. Let him know we all back him, we all feel his pain about lack of funds, injuries, VAR, etc. We’ll come out the other wise of this very strong, we’ll have a fully fit squad soon and we’ll go back up the table.
— Mart (@SFCMart) February 3, 2021
Good news. I hope he knows we the fans are 100% behind him. Considering how many injuries we have, and youngsters being given first team opportunities, he is working blooming hard to put team out. Some controversial decisions making game a sham too. Come out fighting saints.
— scubasands (@scubasands) February 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/TCF87/status/1356883757203095554?s=19
I hope Ralph stays. He has done an amazing job. It's not his fault we have so many injuries and not enough experienced players to take their place, like the top teams. Everyone was giving it their all last night, you could see the despair in their faces.
— Tony Payne 🌊🌊 (@poddys) February 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/LauraSpencer24/status/1356883237310717952?s=19
https://twitter.com/SFC_Debs/status/1356884745137848320?s=19
