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Southampton sack Ralph Hasenhuttl after four-year reign as Premier League club make Luton Town manager Nathan Jones their top target
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been sacked by Southampton, the Premier League club have confirmed.
talkSPORT understands Saints have made Luton Town manager Nathan Jones their top target after ending the four-year reign of Hasenhuttl.
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The south coast club are in the relegation places after winning only one of their last eight Premier League games.
The latest setback came on Saturday afternoon as Southampton were swept aside by Newcastle, who won 4-1 at St Mary's Stadium.
First-team coach Ruben Selles will take charge on an interim basis while the club try and convince ex-Stoke manager Jones to take the reins.
The Englishman has guided the Hatters to eighth place in the Championship.
Hasenhuttl had been in charge at St Mary's for almost four years, replacing Mark Hughes in December 2018, and was the Premier League's fourth longest-serving manager.
A club statement read: "Hasenhuttl, who was appointed in December 2018, departs having made a significant contribution to the club, overseeing some memorable results and also playing a key role in the development of our club infrastructure, identity and playing squad.
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"However, we now believe it is an appropriate time to make a change.
"Everyone involved with the club would like to express their sincere thanks to Ralph for all of his efforts, as well as the unwavering commitment he has shown throughout his time as manager."
Saints plan to have a new manager in the dugout by the time the Premier League resumes after the World Cup on Boxing Day and it is understood that they already have a replacement lined up.
While the Magpies were impressive, the Southampton supporters were less than impressed with what they saw from their own side as boos rang around the stadium on Sunday.
Hasenhuttl was asked about his future after the match and admitted that his fate is not in his own hands.
Asked if it was his final game in charge, he said: "I have made a lot of decisions in my time here. Thankfully, I don't have to make that decision.
"I cannot say the effort wasn't there, but in the moment we are not taking the reward for the effort on the pitch."
He added: "I think it [being in the relegation zone] is a reflection of what we've done so far. It has not been good enough."
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