‘My stats in the cups are HORRIBLE. I lost so often!’ Ralph Hasenhuttl hoping for a change of fortune that guides Southampton to a Wembley final as he tries to evoke the Saints’ spirit of ’76 against Leicester
- Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted he hasn’t enjoyed much cup luck
- He won the Austrian Cup twice as a player but success evaded him as a manager
- But he hopes his fortune will change as Southampton take on Leicester City
- It offers chance to reach the FA Cup final as in 1976 – when they won – and 2003
- Before that, the south coast club were FA Cup runners-up in 1900 and 1902
Ralph Hasenhuttl admits his cup luck is horrible but hopes this is the year it all changes.
Hasenhuttl won two Austrian Cups as a player though similar fortune has evaded him as a manager.
He has guided Southampton to Sunday’s semi-final against Leicester without conceding a goal and said: ‘I’ve had two promotions, including the title in the second league in Germany, but that’s it so far.
The FA Cup has provided some comfort this season for Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl
Saints made light work of Bournemouth in the last round to set up a semi-final with Leicester
‘Especially in the cups my stats are horrible. I lost so often in penalty shoot-outs, or there were horrible games where we were 2-0 up and lost it.
‘Maybe this is the year when everything comes together.’
Hasenhuttl has been showing his players motivational videos ahead of their second semi-final in three years.
Though no crash course on the greatest day in Southampton’s history – their 1976 FA Cup against Manchester United – has been required for Hasenhuttl.
Hasenhuttl spoke about Southampton’s famous FA Cup final win over Man United in 1976
That 1976 triumph remains the club’s only success in four FA Cup finals but they have another shot as they prepare to take on Leicester City in Sunday’s semi-final
‘As soon as I was coming I heard everything about it. There are pictures all around.
‘You see pictures on the way to the dressing room where the Queen gives us the trophy.
‘I have seen pictures where they were celebrating in the city. It [winning the FA Cup] would be a big success for us. Also getting to the final first. This is the goal for the weekend.’
Hasenhuttl admits it took him time to accept that sustained league success like at his previous clubs was not easy to replicate at Southampton.
It’s been a testing season for Hasenhuttl and Saints but the cup could provide a glorious end
The job comes with high and lows, such as their historic 9-0 league defeat against Leicester last season.
He added: ‘When you reach the semi-final here, it can be also be a Champions League semi-final if you want, with Chelsea and Man City. Leicester beat Man United in the last round and are also in the Champions League spots at the moment.
‘We are part of this. It is not normal for us to be there. We have to run more, to fight more, to work more for our wins than other teams do.
‘If we do this then it tastes sweeter, I think, and even more enjoyable.’