RALPH Hasenhuttl has responded to rumours that linked him to the then-vacant Norwich and Aston Villa jobs by saying: “I cannot imagine a much better job than I have here, this is what I have always looked for.” 

Following the sacking of Dean Smith after Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s, Hasenhuttl appeared on reported shortlists for the job.

That was then followed by bizarre reports that the Austrian was one of three bosses, including Smith and Frank Lampard, that Norwich wanted to talk to after Daniel Farke’s dismissal.

Steven Gerrard ended up appointed at the Birmingham outfit while Smith moved down the Premier League to Norwich, with Hasenhuttl firmly at his Saints post.

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And after almost exactly three years as manager of the St Mary’s side, Hasenhuttl has moved to confirm that he couldn’t be happier with his current job role.

Daily Echo: Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived at St Mary's in December 2018 (Pic: Stuart Martin)Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived at St Mary's in December 2018 (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Quizzed on the rumours and asked if he is happy, ahead of Saturday’s visit to Norwich, he responded: “Yeah. This is what I was hoping to get the chance to do.

“I cannot imagine a much better job that I have here. This is what I always looking for in my whole, entire managing career.

“I have managed Champions League clubs. It is for me a very interesting job here. I cannot imagine a lot of things that I want to do more than being manager here in this club.

He continued: “I’m doing everything with this club to make sure it goes in a healthy, developing way.

Daily Echo: Aston Villa appointed Steven Gerrard as their new boss (Pic: PA)Aston Villa appointed Steven Gerrard as their new boss (Pic: PA)

“I think it seems that we are on a good track. It’s always hard. Every year it’s getting tougher for us with our limits as a club to perform with the best teams in the world.

“But it’s always enjoyable to see that we manage it and in the end take points against every team and go in a good direction.”

While Hasenhuttl has Saints looking up the table due to picking up 10 points from the last 12 available, new Norwich boss Smith has nowhere else to look but up in the same direction.

He’s taken on the job with the Canaries rock-bottom of the division and having only picked up one win all season - a 2-1 victory at Brentford last time out.

Hasenhuttl was asked if the job was one that he would take, given the right scenario.

Daily Echo: New Norwich head coach Dean Smith (Pic: PA)New Norwich head coach Dean Smith (Pic: PA)

He responded: “I don’t know if I could do this immediately after using all the energy for a club and then step immediately into another club.

“But if he feels he can do this, that he has the energy, then I think it’s a good decision for him.

“It’s only five points out of the relegation zone and there’s a long way to go in the Premier League. There are lot of points to take.

“As with every other team he has a big chance of staying in the league. He has done a fantastic job (at Villa).”