Ralph Hasenhuttl signing new Southampton contract until 2024 hailed by Matt Le Tissier

Southampton icon Matt Le Tissier is ecstatic at the announcement that manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has signed a new deal at the club until 2024.

The news was confirmed on Tuesday morning with Hasenhuttl having done a brilliant job in overturning their fortunes since an embarrassing and thumping record-breaking 9-0 home defeat by Leicester City in October.

Le Tissier has greeted the announcement – hailing the Austrian’s mental fortitude for sticking at the task and not chucking the towel in after that mauling.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s new managerial deal at Southampton has been praised by Matt Le Tissier

Southampton legend Le Tissier has praised the Austrian for turning the club’s fortunes around

‘Certainly it is [a remarkable comeback]. The club are delighted that Ralph has signed, and it’s great news for all Southampton fans,’ Le Tissier told the Football Show on Sky Sports.

‘I know for a fact that they’ve done a lot of work during lockdown on how to take the club forward.

‘It was a bit disorganised when Ralph came in, but he’s really impressed the board and they stuck by him despite the freak result against Leicester.’

‘How’s he done it? ‘A huge amount of mental strength, first and foremost. After that result, it would have been easy for him to go to the board and say, “I’m not good enough for this.” He’s reaped the rewards of staying.’

Hasenhuttl’s long-term vision for the club has been praised by Le Tissier too – with the former implement a structure from the first-team down to their youth setup.

He steered ship back on course after October’s record-breaking 9-0 home loss to Leicester

‘He’s sat down during lockdown and written up a complete plan of how the club should be, right from the Under 9s,’ Le Tissier, who scored 209 goals in 540 appearances for the Saints, continued.

‘They’ve done a heck of a lot of work on this. From what I’ve heard, Ralph is loving his time at Southampton and wants to be there for a long time.

Southampton sit 14th ahead of the Premier League’s resumption later this month.

Hasenhuttl’s men have a seven-point cushion above the relegation zone with nine matches remaining.