LONDON: Southampton have sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl as manager after four years in charge.

The Austrian’s final game at the helm saw Saints lose 4-1 at home Newcastle on Sunday, leaving them in the Premier League relegation zone.

Hasenhuttl, 55, replaced Mark Hughes as manager in December 2018 and oversaw 16th, 11th and two 15th-placed finishes during his time on the south coast.

Southampton currently sit 18th, a point from safety, having won only once in nine league matches.

First-team coach Ruben Selles has been placed in charge for their Carabao Cup third round tie with Sky Bet League One side Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday. They head to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

Favourite to take over from Hasenhuttl is Nathan Jones who has built a strong reputation across two spells at Luton, sandwiched by an ill-fated, short-lived stint at Stoke in 2019.

He led the Hatters to promotion from League Two in 2018 and had them well-placed for the League One title (which they went on to clinch) when he left late in the following campaign.

Since returning to Kenilworth Road he secured a Championship play-off place for the club in 2021-22 and this season has them sitting eighth after 19 fixtures.

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