RAPLH Hasenhuttl is understood to be in advanced talks to replace Mark Hughes.

Reports this morning suggest he has signed a three-year deal at Saints and newspapers in his home country believe he will be unveiled later today.

However, the Daily Echo understands the two parties are still locked in advanced discussions and there is unlikely to be an announcement today.

Hasenhuttl is the former manager of Red Bull Leipzig, who he guided to a second-place finish in the German Bundesliga.

So who is Hassenhuttl? - A man nicknamed the Alpen Klopp...

The 51-year-old Austrian has been out of work since leaving RB Leipzig at the end of last season and is top of Saints’ hitlist.

Hasenhuttl, nicknamed ‘Alpen Klopp’, or ‘Klopp of the Alps’, for a similar style of play to Jurgen Klopp, could be in place by the time Saints face Cardiff on Saturday if all goes well.

Hasenhuttl did have considerable resources to call upon at the Red Bull backed club, but still stunned the footballing world by taking the team to a second placed finish in the Bundesliga.

Hasenhuttl left after finishing sixth last season.

His teams are known for an energetic, attacking, high pressing style of play.

There is a clear link between the two clubs with Saints’ former recruitment chief, Paul Mitchell, working at Leipzig.