Southampton players believe former assistant manager Danny Rohl's exit has been a key factor in their sudden slide into the relegation zone.

The Saints are in the bottom three following their embarrassing 9-0 home defeat to Leicester on Friday night, a result that has piled huge pressure on manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Daily Mail says a core group of Southampton players feel that the squad, who face a daunting Carabao Cup clash at champions Manchester on Tuesday night, have suffered significantly following Rohl's exit to Bayern Munich in August.

Rohl played a key role following Hasenhuttl's appointment last December - the pair successfully leading the club to Premier League safety.

The coach had a hands on role during training, with players largely enjoying his sessions. But his unexpected departure in the summer has impacted significantly on the team's preparations for games, according to sources.