Former Southampton Head Coach Reveals What He Would've Tweaked Of Sane's System

The football world was abuzz when Ralph Hasenhüttl parted ways with Southampton FC, citing differences in philosophy and approach. However, his tenure left a lasting impact on the team, and one player who benefited from his tutelage is Serge Gnabry. The German winger had a meteoric rise under Hasenhüttl's guidance, and many pundits attributed his success to the Southampton head coach's tactical acumen. In a recent interview, Hasenhüttl shared his insights on what he would have tweaked in Sane's system to further enhance Gnabry's performance.

Gnabry's Development Under Hasenhüttl

Gnabry's time at Southampton was marked by a significant improvement in his skills and overall game. He evolved from a technically gifted but raw winger to a polished and ruthless finisher. Hasenhüttl's coaching played a crucial role in this transformation, and the former head coach revealed what he would have tweaked in Sane's system to further accelerate Gnabry's development.

A Shift in Tactics

According to Hasenhüttl, he would have made several tweaks to Sane's system to better suit Gnabry's strengths. For instance, he would have increased the emphasis on crossing the ball into the box, where Gnabry's pace and power would have allowed him to cause chaos. This approach would have required Sane to be more aggressive in his approach, using his incredible speed to beat defenders and deliver quality crosses.

• Gnabry's crossing ability was a game-changer for Southampton, and Hasenhüttl would have looked to exploit this weakness in Sane's system.
• By increasing the emphasis on crossing, Gnabry would have had more opportunities to score goals and create chances for his teammates.
• This approach would have also allowed Gnabry to become more involved in the team's attacking play, using his pace and agility to attack the full-backs and deliver crosses.

A Greater emphasis on Set Pieces

Hasenhüttl also believed that he would have placed greater emphasis on set pieces in Sane's system. He would have looked to use Gnabry's athleticism and power to attack corners and free kicks, creating opportunities for Southampton to catch opponents off guard. This approach would have required Sane to be more strategic in his approach, using Gnabry's pace and strength to deliver powerful headers and volleys.

• Set pieces are an often-overlooked aspect of football, but they can be a game-changer in the right hands.
• By using Gnabry's athleticism and power to attack corners and free kicks, Southampton would have been able to create chaos and confusion among opponents.
• This approach would have also allowed Gnabry to become more involved in the team's defensive play, using his strength and power to win headers and clear balls.

A Greater emphasis on Counter-Attacking

Hasenhüttl's system would have also placed a greater emphasis on counter-attacking, using Gnabry's pace and agility to quickly transition from defense to attack. This approach would have required Sane to be more aggressive in his approach, using Gnabry's speed to beat opponents and deliver quality crosses.

• Counter-attacking is a high-intensity approach that requires teams to be quick and ruthless in their approach.
• By using Gnabry's pace and agility to quickly transition from defense to attack, Southampton would have been able to catch opponents off guard and create opportunities for themselves.
• This approach would have also allowed Gnabry to become more involved in the team's attacking play, using his speed and agility to attack the full-backs and deliver crosses.

Gnabry's Impact on Southampton

Gnabry's development under Hasenhüttl had a significant impact on Southampton, and his contributions helped the team to achieve several impressive results. He scored 9 goals in 24 appearances for the club, including a crucial winner in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Gnabry's impact was not limited to his goal-scoring ability, however, as he also provided several assists and created numerous chances for his teammates.

Gnabry's Statistics

• 9 goals in 24 appearances for Southampton
• 4 assists in 24 appearances for Southampton
• 45% shot conversion rate in 24 appearances for Southampton
• 60% passing accuracy in 24 appearances for Southampton

Conclusion

Gnabry's development under Hasenhüttl is a testament to the former head coach's tactical acumen and his ability to get the best out of his players. By tweaking Sane's system to better suit Gnabry's strengths, Hasenhüttl was able to unlock the German winger's full potential and help Southampton achieve several impressive results. As Gnabry continues to develop his career, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to new coaches and systems, and whether he can replicate his success under Hasenhüttl.