Ralph Hasenhuttl has been talking to the media about his squad as well as his love for the area, the club and the relationship with CEO Martin Semmens, it is great to hear a Saints manager speak with such enthusiasm.

Next month will mark Ralph Hasenhuttl's second anniversary at Southampton Football club,at this moment it is probably hard to find a Saints supporter who won't celebrate that day when it arrives.

It seems he is very much at home in Southampton and he is enjoying the experience.

Speaking to German media outlet Kicker Ralph had this to say.

“My wife and I feel very much at home here, we love southern England, people like us. And I can fully concentrate on football here, the work is great fun,”

“With Martin Semmens, my chairman, I have someone by my side who supports me. We went through the time after Leicester together, and a trust grew there that I didn’t know before in this business. I can’t think of a better job at the moment.”

Certainly the fans feel the same way about Ralph, from the moment he arrived there seemed to be something different about him, he got an immediate connection with the supporters in a way similar to the way that Jurgen Klopp bonded with Liverpool supporters, which was not surprising given that even before his arrival at St Mary's his nickname in Germany was "Klopp Of The Alps"

You cannot imagine many of our previous managers joining in with the after match celebrations the way that Ralph does, certainly Mark Hughes seemed indifferent to the entire club other than those in his first team, but Klopp is different.

Ronald Koeman was of a similar vein, but even he was far far short of having the relationship with Saints supporters that Ralph has.

In the past Lawrie McMenemy was beloved by the fans, but his was more a media driven love, whereas Ralph is far more hands on, be it sprinting down the touchline when we score or his trademark bowing to the fans after a good win away from home.

If we can have another two seasons with the progress made at the same rate as the first two years, then this club could truly be up there with not only Koeman's side of 4 years ago, but perhaps even McMenemy's of the 70's/80's.

Photo: Action Images

schatfield added 13:31 - Nov 12 Brave man, Southampton is a horrible place these days, it has become housing estate city. I only support them cos I was born there and grew up as a kid going to the Dell and you can't swap clubs after that!
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SaintNick added 13:45 - Nov 12 Im fairly sure he isn't living in either Millbrook, Thornhill or Weston
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underweststand added 14:34 - Nov 12 we are along way from where we were when Ralph arrived, and a lot further forward since the Leicester debacle. The balance of the team isn't perfect yet but is improving all the time. Ralph is a man who appreciates the talent in the Academy and isn't afraid of giving the best lads a chance, and the fans have warmed to his style, and the players understand what is required of them -if they are to succeed at the club. After so many seasons of "survival " we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and our fans aren't so demanding as those at Spurs and Man Utd. who seem to think they have a God-given right to win every game and complain like those politicians whenever they don't get the result they think they deserve..despite spending hundreds of millions every year ..yet still failing to win the title(s) they covert. Ralph has guided us to the best start in years, and yet he is still the type of man humble enough to say .. we talk about success after we've passed 40 points. I don't know what we may /may not win, but having him at the helm is obviously good for the club, fans and players too.

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kevleykeegle added 15:15 - Nov 12 Schatfield- the whole of Southampton is a housing estate? Really?!! You only support Saints because you went to The Dell... right... It’s okay matey, the club will survive the loss of your half-hearted endorsement of both the club and the city. I hear Pompey could do with a few more fans...
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perazi added 21:44 - Nov 12 Ralph H. has been an outstanding fit for SFC at a time when the Club was teetering after the tenure of Puel, Pellegrino and Hughes. He's got such enthusiasm and passion for the job; clearly knows his stuff and also comes across as an authentic, humble person. Long may he stay.
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Bettwsresident added 22:56 - Nov 16 I really hope he stays. The way we are playing is the best I have ever seen. The whole team is growing, even Romeu is venturing forward with real purpose! I only wish I could be in the stadium rather than on the edge of the sofa with my son (who thankfully came to the 0-0 against burnley in 18, so realises how good we are now!) Koeman was blessed with VVD, Mane, Pelle etc. The way the whole team works is just superb, sadly that may be the downfall. He has lasted 80-90 games in all his previous appointments and is 73 and counting. I can see Man U, Dortmund or Bayen coming for him. Furthef back I loved the Strachan team, and first went to the dell to see the great team of the early 80's, but in recent times this is it and I dont want it to end. I hope the bond forged in the aftermath if the score that will never be mentioned means something when they do.

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