Hasenhuttl sets Southampton star new challenge after choosing different route
Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged James Ward-Prowse to become a Southampton legend in the aftermath of his new contract.
Ward-Prowse was a major target for Aston Villa all throughout the summer. But while Villa did manage to prise Danny Ings away from Southampton, they had less luck with his teammate. The rumours ended once and for all when Saints announced a new contract for Ward-Prowse on Thursday.
The midfielder has now committed his future to Southampton, for whom he has made more than 300 appearances, for another five years.
Speaking before Southampton’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday, manager Hasenhuttl emphasised how important the deal will be.
He said: “The good thing is that we finally can stop any discussion we had about transfers for him or whatever. We can definitely stop this discussion and I am happy that this is sorted out.
“We speak very often about a role model for this club and if you want to find one, Prowsey is the one.
“He is here for a long time now, he came here as a young player and made it to the captain of his club and his team.
“He is, I think, something of a player that everyone can identity with and we are very happy to have him here.”
Ward-Prowse’s manager believes the player dealt with the situation in an exemplary manner, given that speculation can often affect players.
However, for Hasenhuttl, his stay was never in doubt – despite seeing other players depart.
He added: “I have never had the thought he could leave us to be honest.
“We are not the only club that loses a player when they have only one year left because when players are not willing to sign a new contract it is the only alternative you have, that doesn’t mean that you have to let them go for nothing.
“As we said, we are a club that develops players and we will always be a club that also sells players at some point and we always will be in the future.
“But this also happens to the very big clubs so it is not about that we are at the other end of this level.
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Hasenhuttl accepts player decisions
“This is OK, sometimes it is hard for the fans to see players leave. For me also, I would like to have Danny here for the next five years.
“But sometimes players decide to make the next step and not to decide to be a legend for the club and when you have to accept that as a manager then you must keep on going.
“There are new players coming in and hopefully have the right choice and then you bring a new one in and he is a new hero for the fans.”
Ward-Prowse will be following a different path to most though and Hasenhuttl tipped him to become a legend.
The Austrian said: “Yes, he has decided to go this way.
“That doesn’t mean that he stays here forever but when you are that long at a club you get a special position in the club and in the heart of the fans.
“I think this is sometimes what players don’t see, you can earn a lot of money anywhere but you have seldom chance to become a legend I think.
“When you have this chance, it is too often not important enough for the players any more, maybe this was a little bit different in the past.”
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