HUGHES KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE SACKED

on Saturday after Saints’ poor start to the season.

He was axed after a meeting on Sunday night when the Welshman and his coaching staff became aware the club had agreed terms with his successor.

It emerged yesterday former RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is the man they want and he is expected to be installed within the next 48 hours, in time for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff.

Hasenhuttl became Southampton’s No.1 choice after several candidates were sounded out last week, including ex-watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores (above), Paulo

Sousa and former Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal.

Ex-austria striker Hasenhuttl is seen as a major coup at Saints who appear to be returning to their tradition of bold appointments, having brought Mauricio Pochettino to English football. He led Ingolstadt to the German second division title in 2015 before spending three years in charge of Leipzig and was highly recommended by ex-saints transfer guru Paul Mitchell.

With all that going on in the background, Hughes knew what was coming but Southampton delayed the inevitable because of their tough run of fixtures as they thought bringing in a new man would leave him on a hiding to nothing.

Having drawn with United 2-2, they face Tottenham tomorrow, when club legend Kelvin Davies will take charge.

Hughes will walk away with a seven-figure pay-off as he was just months into a three-year deal.

A source close to him said: “Sparky was aware whatever happened it was likely to be his last game.”