It was not meant to be this way.



Before the Premier League season began, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said finishing 10th would be a “big, big success”. But, 10 games in, his side are 18th having been obliterated 9-0 at home by Leicester City on Friday night — the worst defeat in the club’s 133-year history.



In the days since, the club’s board have informed staff that Hasenhuttl’s position is safe and that a senior football figure with expertise in player trading will be brought in to replace the former director of football Ross Wilson, who has joined Rangers.



The club hope to bring in a replacement in time for the January transfer window, though there are fears that deadline could be missed if the candidate has to serve notice in another role. Erik Stoffelshaus and Dave Jones have been linked with the role but neither are under serious consideration, with Southampton prepared to wait for the right...