All Saints
RALPH HASENHUTTL revealed he sent a thank you message to Southampton legends Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali.
The pair of Saints ambassadors have been vocal in their support for the under-fire Austrian amid the club’s alarming on-going slump in form and results.
Just four points from the last 33 available, a run that includes defeats, means Southampton are far too close to the relegation places for comfort.
But while pundits and punters alike are questioning Hasenhuttl’s ability to stop the rot, Le Tissier (below) and Benali have given the coach their full backing.
Le Tiss is considered Southampton’s greatest player after scoring 212 goals in 465 appearances between 1986 and 2002, while former defender Benali is not far behind in the eyes of many St Mary fans.
Understandable, then, Hasenhuttl is extremely grateful for a timely show of faith in him from two such hugely-influential figures at the South Coast club.
Ahead of today’s vital home clash against Brighton, the Saints supremo said: “Thanks very much to them.
“They did a massive job for this club and you always feel that this club means something special to them.
“Maybe they have the feeling that this club also means something special to me – and I can only agree.
“I know about the toughness of this job. I know about the problems we’ve had sometimes. But I also know that if we over-perform we can have some good wins.
“As I say, sometimes it’s more fun to be the pirate than to join the navy. This is how I like to be.”
That approach, though, will not wash with the Southampton faithful should the current dip continue much longer.
After their 5-2 midweek thumping at Manchester City, Hasenhuttl’s FA Cup quarter-finalists need to return to winning ways soon – to avoid a nightmare survival scrap.
The defeat by Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect has led to suggestions the Saints are close to complete burnout.
Hasenhuttl, though, has rubbished that talk. He insists his one-time Premier League leaders, with several injured players close to fitness, can finish the campaign strongly
Asked if he is concerned about the fatigue factor, the ex-rb Leipzig coach added: “No, because we are getting players back now.
“That gives me more alternatives with my game plans – and that will help us, in terms of winning more games.”