Jisheng Gao has seemingly been handed a huge boost at Southampton this week, as Bayern Munich have appointed Julian Nagelsmann as their new manager, a move which should see Ralph Hasenhuttl remain at St Mary's.

The Austrian had been touted as a potential replacement for Hans-Dieter Flick at the Allianz Arena, after he announced that he wanted to leave the Bundesliga side following their Champions League exit against PSG.

Although Southampton have struggled in the second half of this season, Hasenhuttl has won a lot of plaudits for the way in which his side plays, whilst he has also impressed in the Bundesliga in the past with RB Leipzig, so could definitely have been an attractive option for Die Roten.

Saints fans were clearly behind Hasenhuttl in the summer after a superb end to last season which saw them comfortably avoid relegation, with a poll run by The Athletic revealing that they had the most optimistic fans ahead of the new season.

The South Coast club were able to continue that fine run of form into the new campaign and they topped the Premier League table for the first time in their history after recording a 2-0 win against Newcastle United back in November.

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He earned a lot of praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola earlier in the season, with the Spanish manager suggesting that he is an "exceptional manager".

Unfortunately, the Saints have capitulated since the turn of the year, although injury problems and a serious lack of squad depth have certainly played their part.

Hasenhuttl has promised a rebuild this summer and there is no major reason why the Saints can't push on next season should he be backed in the transfer window.

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Therefore, it is a big relief for Gao and Southampton fans that Bayern Munich are appointing RB Leipzig boss Nagelsmann, as if they had made an approach for Hasenhuttl, surely the opportunity to manage the current Champions League holders would have been too good for him to turn down.

And, in other news... Bye-bye Vestergaard: Semmens should seal Saints swoop for £4.5m-rated beast