Ralph Hasenhuttl confirms new contract with Southampton until 2024

Southampton have announced that their manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl, has agreed a new contract to remain at St Mary’s until 2024.

Hasenhuttl, 52, signed a contract until next year when he replaced Mark Hughes in December 2018 and, having averted relegation last year, Telegraph Sport revealed in February that he would be rewarded for another generally impressive season.

Although the suspended 2019-20 campaign had included the huge low last year of a 9-0 home defeat against Leicester City, Southampton chief executive Martin Semmens made a point after that match of personally reassuring Hasenhuttl that he retained the club’s full support.

Results then turned after the October international break and, despite a limited outlay in the transfer market over the past 18 months, Southampton are in no serious danger of relegation ahead of the Premier League’s restart on June 17.

Hasenhuttl and Southampton actually agreed the contract extension earlier this year, and had planned to finalise the terms and make an announcement in March, just as the Covid-19 crisis forced a national lockdown. With the Premier League’s planned resumption now only two weeks away, it has been decided to make the announcement.

“From day one, Ralph has had a positive impact on the club, everyone within it and our fans,” said Semmens. “He joined our club at a time when strong leadership was needed to drive the club forward.  This he delivered, but it was the clarity of vision that has ultimately led us to this point. He understood who we are very quickly, and over the last six months has developed a vision for the club that we believe will lead us back to success on the pitch. A new philosophy on the pitch, but very much rooted in our values and history.

“Ralph brings to us experience of winning, but more than that, an absolute commitment to his philosophy and the development of all age groups at the club. There has never been any question in my mind that Ralph is the right man to lead our club.”

Southampton have already been restructured this year with the arrival from the Football Association of new director of football operations Matt Crocker, who had previously worked at the club’s academy.

As well as Hasenhuttl, Richard Kitzbichler has also extended his contract as assistant coach, and will continue to work alongside the existing first team staff of Craig Fleming, Dave Watson, Kelvin Davis, Andrew Sparkes and Alek Gross.

“This, for me, was a simple decision,” said Hasenhuttl. “Simple because of the relationship that I have built with the club, the players and the fans, and also because of the relationship they have built with me too.

“I said when I arrived at the club that we were at the beginning of a long journey, and also a journey that would bring emotion and hopefully enjoyment. We have already had some moments where we could celebrate together, and some that have been emotional and also challenging.

“The way we have handled this together as a group of people has been incredible for me, and I believe we now have strong foundations here that can allow us to take the next steps in our progress as a team.

Striker Shane Long, whose current deal expires this summer, is also set to sign an extension and stay beyond this season.

Southampton were the first Premier League club to agree a wage deferral among its players and first-team coaching staff, including Hasenhuttl, following the suspension of the season and this will continue until the end of this month.

“In difficult moments and situations, you can show how committed you are and I think it was a very good signal for everybody,” said Hasenhuttl. “I am very proud to be part of this club. I think we have been very committed and we will be even more committed in the future.

“We really care about this club and we really care about this city. We wanted to send this message to everybody. And as long as we are that family club we are always speaking about, we have to send a signal and I am very proud of that.”