Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has emerged as a shock contender to become the next permanent Manchester United head coach, according to stunning reports.
United interim manager Ralf Rangnick, 63, is leading the Red Devils until the end of the season after the sacking of club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last November.
Following his six-month spell, Rangnick will step into a consultancy role at Old Trafford and United will seek to make a new managerial appointment.
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United have been heavily linked with several high-profile managers, including Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Hasenhuttl, who worked with Rangnick during their time at RB Leipzig, has now reportedly been added to United’s managerial shortlist.
According to The Daily Mirror, the Southampton manager’s name has been ‘mentioned amongst the Old Trafford hierarchy.’
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Hasenhuttl, 54, led Southampton to a 1-1 draw against defending Premier League champions Manchester City in January at St Mary’s.
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The Saints followed up their draw with City with a sensational 3-2 away win over Tottenham and a 1-1 draw with United at Old Trafford in February.
The Mirror claims United’s hierarchy, including technical director Darren Fletcher and football director John Murtough, have ‘taken notice’ of Hasenhuttl’s work.
However, the newspaper reports that former Spurs manager Pochettino and Ajax’s Ten Hag are still believed to be the frontrunners.
It is believed that Hasenhuttl would be considered a viable option if United ‘fail to land either of their first choices.’
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Southampton’s impressive recent run of form under Hasenhuttl came to a screeching halt on Saturday in a thumping 4-0 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.
Goals from Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz in the first half and Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings in the second half saw Steven Gerrard’s men run riot at Villa Park.
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Following the end of Southampton’s seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Hasenhuttl admitted the defeat to Villa was “massive.”
“We have been on a good run, but this defeat is massive,” he said.
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“Everything was not good enough today. In one game when all the bad things are coming together, then it looks like this.
“We have now the chance to start the next run and this is what will try.
“We will have the time to show a reaction during the week now against Newcastle. We have the chance to do it and I am sure we will show a different face.”
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Ralph Hasenhuttl, Mauricio Pochettino, Erik Ten Hag, Southampton, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football