Ralph Hasenhuttl insists he is focused on doing ‘very well’ as the Southampton manager

Ralph Hasenhuttl insists his priority is doing well enough to remain Southampton manager until 2024 after raising the prospect of quitting coaching for good at the end of his contract.

Hasenhuttl told German publication Kicker of his plans to leave the game in two years’ time and has also informed the club’s new owners Sport Republic.

He suggested the decision is not yet cut and dried and something could happen before then to change his mind.

Ralph Hasenhuttl insists his priority is doing well enough to remain Southampton manager until 2024 after raising the prospect of quitting coaching for good at the end of his contract

‘No, sure, you never know,’ he said before adding. ‘First, I have to do a very good job until that moment because otherwise it can end earlier.

‘We are speaking about a Premier League manager job and they have to be always successful. I have learned in this business not to look too far ahead but when they ask me about my contract I have to tell them that it is 2024 and what happens then nobody knows.

‘But it’s a very demanding job. I am 57 (in the summer of 2024). If I extend my contract for another three years I am 60 when I stop and this is a very demanding job and this is what you think about with [when asked] such questions.

Hasenhuttl (middle) told German publication Kicker of his plans to leave the game in two years’ time and has also informed the club’s new owners Sport Republic

However, he has now suggested that the decision is not yet cut and dried and something could happen before then to change his mind

‘But we are speaking about two and a half years and a lot can happen so it’s good to concentrate on the actual situation.’

Meanwhile, Hasenhuttl remains hopeful striker Armando Broja could recover from a knee injury to face Spurs and also that defender Lyanco will play again this season after being ruled out long-term with a serious hamstring injury.

Hasenhuttl said Lyanco is facing eight to 12 weeks out but is staying optimistic.

He said: ‘The biggest range can be like Jack Stephens [missed around two-and-a-half months], I think he needed eight weeks [and] to then be back fully fit. I’m always a positive thinking manager.’

Hasenhuttl remains hopeful striker Armando Broja  (above) could recover from a knee injury to face Spurs and also that defender Lyanco will play again this season