Reports claim that Southampton is lining up former Swansea manager Steve Cooper as a possible replacement for Ralph Hasenhuttl should the Austrian part ways with the club.
HasenhuttlThe 54-year-old has been in command of St Mary’s since December 2018, winning 43 of his 118 games in charge. He led the Saints to a 15th spot last season but it was far from a smooth ride. They lost eight of nine Premier League games from mid-January onwards.
That streak included a 9-0 win at the hands of Manchester United. And it was not the first time that the former boss of RB Leipzig witnessed that score.
In October 2019, Leicester City scored nine unanswered goals at St Mary’s during a terrible start to that campaign. There have been rumors for the past few years that Hasenhuttl’s days on the south coast may be numbered.
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But he has always managed to hang on to his job. However, it remains to be seen how patient the club hierarchy will have this term.
Southampton have won three points in their first four games of 2021-2022, but are yet to win. Saturday’s goalless draw at home to West Ham United places them 14th in the top flight rankings.
There has been no suggestion that his job is under immediate threat. But The Sun reports that copper tops the list of potential managers ready to step in.
Cooper has an advantage over his rivals
Cooper did not enjoy a particularly successful playing career, playing 57 times for Bangor City. But he has impressed in the coaching world, enjoying roles with England’s U16 and U17 teams.
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That went on to working with Wrexham Youth and Liverpool Youth, where their shares rose considerably. The Welshman took office at Swansea in June 2019, signing a three-year contract at Liberty Stadium.
But he left after two years in office after failing to guide the Swans to the Premier League. They reached the championship play-offs in his two seasons in charge, losing twice to Brentford.
West Londoners were too good in the summer 2020 semi-finals, while Thomas Frank’s team beat them in the final last season.
The Pontypridd-born strategist has made no secret of the fact that he wants to lead in the top flight. And the link to Southampton is obvious, with director of football operations Matt Crocker, a former co-worker at the Football Association.
Cooper, 41, is still out of work after leaving South Wales with a win rate close to 45 percent on his resume. He was linked to the work of Crystal Palace but the Eagles opted for Patrick Vieira.
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