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“When I discuss”- PL boss addresses links to Manchester United managerial job

Ralph Hasenhuttl is linked with Manchester United. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Ralph Hasenhuttl is linked with Manchester United. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

As quoted by the Daily Mail, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has played down suggestions that he is in line to become the new permanent manager at Manchester United ahead of the new season.

The Manchester club is currently led by Ralf Rangnick, who has been appointed on an interim basis until the summer to help finish the season strongly after the side sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a poor string of results earlier in the campaign.

Hasenhuttl, who is said to be identified as one of the candidates to replace Rangnick in the summer when the German’s tenure expires, played down links to United and joked that such rumours confirm that he is doing a good job at St. Mary’s.

“The only thing I can say is it shows that we don’t do everything wrong here.”

Manchester United have added Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl to their managerial shortlist.
Manchester United have added Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl to their managerial shortlist.

The Austrian has prior experience working with Rangnick, when the pair were at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Given that the interim boss has a say in who the next permanent manager at the Theatre of Dreams is, their friendship has sparked rumours.

“Not have time any more”

Hasenhuttl is said to have impressed the club hierarchy, who have added him to their shortlist of potential managers because of his impressive results against United and defending champions Manchester City this season.

The former Leipzig boss held both clubs to two draws and took precious points against them, but he swatted away claims about his name being on the Red Devils’ shortlist, saying that does not have time to discuss every list his name was on in the past few months.

“When I discuss every list I have been on in the last two months, I would not have time any more for working or doing my job.”

Ralph Hasenhuttl is appreciated by Man United officials. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Ralph Hasenhuttl is appreciated by Man United officials. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Hasenhuttl’s time with Southampton has undeniably been impressive, leading them to the top half of the Premier League as they currently sit ninth in the table. On a limited budget and missing world-class talent in the squad, he has worked his magic to make them into a rising English top-flight side since he took over the club.  

The Austrian also seems to have an eye for identifying young talent, signing youngsters like Armando Broja and Tino Livramento to add some quality to his side. The players have also responded to his faith in them, turning out to be first-team stars for the Saints.

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However, despite his name being added to a shortlist of potential candidates for the Manchester United permanent manager job, he falls behind in the list to Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, who are the favourites to land the position.

What we need at the moment is an elite coach who brings title experience along with them to take us back to the top. Hasenhuttl has done a decent job at Southampton, but unfortunately, he doesn’t qualify to be an elite manager capable of running one of the world’s biggest clubs to trophies.

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