Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s response to managing Man Utd after Paul Scholes claim

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is not thinking about managing Manchester United despite being tipped for the Old Trafford hot-seat this summer amid suggestions he could retire in 2024. The Austrian tactician is enjoying quite the purple patch with the Saints, who have taken points off United, Tottenham and Manchester City in recent weeks after moving up to 10th place in the Premier League table.

Many backed Southampton to struggle this season after losing star man Danny Ings to Aston Villa last summer but Hasenhuttl has ensured his side have kept their foot on the pedal to steer clear of the dogfight.

His team’s performance levels and form have seen Hasenhuttl lavished in praise in recent weeks with some even suggesting he has what it takes to manage some of Premier League’s biggest clubs.

Now the 54-year-old has spoken out on links to United in particular after Scholes and Glenn Hoddle put his name forward as a potential replacement for Ralf Rangnick after Southampton drew 1-1 at Old Trafford.

He said: “This is not in my mind and also not in the things that are interesting me.

“I don’t want to speak about my future every week.

“Last week we spoke about some different stuff, this week we should speak about our game against Everton. This is more important.

“My whole energy and focus is on this game, anything else I will leave to you.”

Scholes and Hoddle were not the only ones waxing lyrical about Hasenhuttl.

DON’T MISS
Man Utd star Marcus Rashford furiously fires back over Cristiano Ronaldo ‘divide’ reports
Man Utd ‘plot move for Ajax star Antony’ as Erik Ten Hag interest intensifies
Man Utd managerial target ‘ruled out’ of four-man shortlist to replace Ralf Rangnick

His defender Jan Bednarek is “keeping his fingers crossed” that his manager lands a big job before he calls time on his career.

“You can see with our performances against the biggest teams, he has got the idea and the philosophy of playing football that could suit a big team,” Bednarek said.

“If we keep going like this and keep performing like this, the big teams will look at him, and analyse the way he plays, the way he is managing the team.  

“If they like him – I don’t see many things against that. Hopefully, I keep my fingers crossed, one day he will become the manager of some bigger team.”

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here

Hasenhuttl recently raised eyebrows when he told Kicker in Germany that he was considering retirement when his Southampton contract expires in 2024.

“I always wanted to prove to myself that I could very well work for a club for a longer period of time,” Hasenhuttl said.

“Hopefully it will be five-and-a-half years here, that’s a damn long time in modern football, and then that’s probably it.”

The ‘Klopp of the Alps’ joined Southampton back in December 2018 when he replaced Mark Hughes and has previously been linked with the Tottenham job.

Source: Read Full Article