Ralph Hasenhüttl expects his players to be active during the summer | OneFootball

What do you think of when you think of summer holidays?

Maybe laying on the beach, ice cream, a barbecue? Not for Southampton this summer.

While we’re sure they’ll indulge themselves a little, manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has been very clear what he expects from his players when they return for pre-season.

“I think it (pre-season) is not that much different to a normal training session during the week because we are still working hard,” Hasenhüttl said, per the Southern Daily Echo.

“The more important thing is that the schedule we gave them in the break they follow because that means they come back in the shape we can start immediately on the pitch.

“I don’t want to start at zero because they were laying on the couch at home for six weeks and eating whatever.”

That’s the law well and truly laid down, then.

“Pre-season for me is something we want to work every part of our game,” the Austrian added.

“That means you have to have a level when you come back and that’s why it’s not having seven weeks of rest and do nothing.”

Having survived in the Permier League this season, the message from Southampton is clear: onwards and upwards under Hasenhüttl’s guidance.

And that starts with staying in shape during the summer break.