Rio Ferdinand's Between The Lines - Erling Haaland
Jun 9Southampton have confirmed Nathan Jones as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Ralph Hasenhuttl was sacked by Saints on Monday morning, bringing to an end his near four years in charge.
The Austrian's reign finished with a 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle, the latest of a poor recent run of results leaving them in the Premier League relegation zone.
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Formerly of RB Leipzig, Hasenhuttl succeeded Mark Hughes at St Mary’s in 2018, when the club were languishing in the bottom three.
The team finished 16th, 11th and twice 15th under him and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 2021, where they were beaten by Leicester.
Their last victory came against Bournemouth in October and scoring goals has been a problem all season, having netted only 12 times in 14 league games.
Hasenhuttl's successor Jones will be in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool after watching Wednesday’s Carabao Cup shootout win over Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary’s from the stands.
Jones, who signed a five-year deal with the Hatters in January, ends his second spell at Luton with the club ninth in the Championship.
He will be joined at St Mary's by first team coaches Chris Cohen and Alan Sheehan.
"I'm really proud to be given this opportunity," said Jones.
"I know a lot about the club from back in the days of The Dell, to coming here to St Mary's, and it's a wonderful football club."
"A lot of my family are Southampton fans, which doesn't half help," Jones said.
"I wanted to manage in the Premier League, I've dreamt of that since I became a coach, but this club in particular - because of how it's run, because of the structure, because of how they look deeper than just results - really appeals to me."
A statement from Luton CEO Gary Sweet said: “We would like to thank Nathan for what he has brought to our club over 303 matches, which is the third most of any Luton manager.
“Together with his staff, and of course the brilliant group of players he has nurtured for the best part of six and a half years, he has given us some fantastic memories and a team to be constantly proud of.
“We all wish him well in his new role and thank Southampton for the way in which everything has been handled. They have acted in a most professional manner since first making their approach to us, as has Nathan."
