AliousJames Ward-Prowse credits former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl as having the biggest impact on his career.
Hasenhüttl arrived in December 2018 when Ward-Prowse’s future at the club was uncertain due to lack of playing time. Initially left out of the squad, Ward-Prowse thought he was “written off” by the new manager.
However, he refocused his efforts in training and soon became a regular starter once Hasenhüttl recognized his high-energy style suited the intense pressing system.
Ward-Prowse acknowledges it was a “make or break” situation under Hasenhüttl, who guided Southampton to an 11th-place finish over three seasons before being sacked in November 2022 with the club in the relegation zone.
Ultimately, Southampton could not avoid relegation that campaign.
The midfielder also praised former Saints managers Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman for their influential roles.
Pochettino united the squad with an impressive attention to detail that Ward-Prowse appreciates more now.
Koeman, though Ward-Prowse cannot recall his playing career, provided valuable insights from his own experiences as a player while still being actively involved in training sessions himself.
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