Southampton approach Wolves director Matt Hobbs as Saints plot dramatic overhaul of backroom staff
SOUTHAMPTON have approached Wolves’ Matt Hobbs as they look to overhaul their footballing structure.
Saints owner Dragan Solak announced this week that a new footballing management appointment would be made after chairman Henrik Kraft stepped down.
The club have never replaced Jason Wilcox, the former director of football, who left for Manchester United last year.
Since Wilcox’s departure, CEO Phil Parsons has been handling recruitment business as well as new contracts.
But the process to find a replacement has been running for a number of months now, with both English and international options considered.
But there has been a lot of disappointment over the club’s recruitment under owners Sport Republic, with the Saints spending over £100million in the summer – only to set records for the worst start to a Premier League season.
The additions of Matheus Fernandes and Aaron Ramsdale have been impressive but the club were left without a reliable striker and have a squad clearly not good enough for the Prem.
Solak is considering more than one appointment within his new structure at St. Mary’s.
Hobbs, who has been at Wolves since 2015 and has held the role of sporting director since 2022, has been approached for a role across all of Sport Republic’s club.
Alongside Saints, the group also own Turkish club Goztepe and Ligue 2 club Valenciennes.
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No deal with Hobbs has been agreed and he could still stay at Wolves, as there is thought to be at least one other candidate being considered for the role.
Serbian owner Solak revealed his disappointment at the club’s performance this week, as he replaced Kraft as chairman.
Solak said: “Whilst I am pleased with many aspects of the club’s management, I am deeply disappointed with the football results this season.
“We will be strengthening our football management team in the near future, and we will share details of that as soon as things are confirmed.
“Our aim at the start of the season was to stay in the Premier League, and I know our fans share in my frustration at how this season has gone so far.
“I ask everyone to continue supporting the club with as much passion and dedication as they have shown all season as we navigate the rest of the season together.”
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