Southampton are now ‘seriously contemplating’ who they could appoint as manager to replace the under-pressure Ralph Hasenhuttl at St Mary’s, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Austrian was handed more than £60 million to bolster his first-team squad during the summer transfer window but he may now be running out of time in his role.
What is the latest on Hasenhuttl?
The Saints fell to their third Premier League defeat on the bounce on Saturday afternoon when Everton ran out 2-1 winners on the south coast.
Goals from Dwight McNeil and Conor Coady were enough to condemn them to another defeat in what is fast turning into a disappointing campaign.
It means Hasenhuttl’s side have now only scored two goals in their last five outings in the top-flight as they continue to slump towards the foot of the table.
With eight matches played, they sit precariously in 16th place with just one point separating them from the bottom three.
It was reported by MailOnline during the summer that Hasenhuttl had lost the trust of a number of first-team stars while many were left surprised to see him continue as their manager this term.
However, it is now understood that Southampton will not make an imminent change in the dugout and plan to give the former RB Leipzig coach more time.
What has Jones said on the situation?
Jones understands that conversations have already taken place among the powers that be at St Mary’s regarding a potential change of direction.
The journalist says that they have contemplated who could take over if they were to sack Hasenhuttl in the near future.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The club are seriously contemplating who their next manager would be at this stage. We'll have to wait and see when they decide to go for this. I would imagine they will let it roll out into the weekend but it does look like he's a bit of a dead man walking.”
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How many managers have already been sacked?
If Hasenhuttl were to be given the boot, he would become the fourth Premier League boss to be ousted this term.
Bournemouth got the ball rolling when they sacked Scott Parker, with Chelsea’s dismissal of Thomas Tuchel not far behind.
This weekend saw Wolverhampton Wanderers part ways with Bruno Lage, while Brighton have also been forced into a change after Graham Potter was poached by Chelsea.