Two members of the Super Eagles, Joe Aribo, and Paul Onuachu, currently ply their trade in England for the Premier League side, Southampton, Soccernet.ng reports.
Recently, Russell Martin was shown the exit door following the team’s dismal performance, which was worsened by their loss to Tottenham Hotspur in an embarrassing 5-nil defeat.
Aribo and Onuachu’s time at Southampton has been heavily influenced by the club’s constant managerial changes.
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Over the course of their tenure, both players have worked under a total of seven different managers. Here’s a breakdown of coaches who have shaped their journeys at the club.
1. Ralph Hasenhüttl
Aribo’s time at Southampton began under Ralph Hasenhüttl, who showed early faith in the midfielder. Aribo featured 15 times under Hasenhüttl in his first season, scoring two goals. It was a solid start for the Nigerian, with the Austrian manager who provided him with crucial playing time.
Onuachu, on the other hand, joined Southampton just after Hasenhüttl was sacked, which meant he did not have much of a chance to impress under him.
2. Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones’ brief tenure at Southampton saw Joe Aribo’s playing time significantly reduced. Aribo featured in just eight matches under Jones, with little impact on the pitch.
Similarly, Paul Onuachu’s time under Jones was even shorter, with the striker making just two appearances before Jones was sacked.
3. Ruben Selles
When Ruben Selles took over as interim manager, Aribo’s involvement in the team continued to be limited. Aribo played only four matches under Selles, and his role in the squad was largely reduced during this transitional period.
BREAKING: Southampton have appointed Ruben Selles as permanent manager until the end of the season. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/6NDY1GwSL5
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 24, 2023
For Onuachu, however, Selles provided a little more playing time, with the striker featuring in nine games. Despite these opportunities, Onuachu was often left out of the starting lineup as Southampton fought to stay afloat in the Premier League.
4. David Horsman (Under-23s Coach)
Aribo found himself out of favour with the senior team under Ruben Selles, and he was given a chance to play in an under-21 match against Leeds under the U-23 coach, David Horsman.
This brief spell allowed Aribo to stay match-fit and maintain his sharpness. Onuachu, however, did not feature under Horsman.
5. Russell Martin
Under Russell Martin, Joe Aribo enjoyed his most productive spell at Southampton. Aribo made 57 appearances, scoring six goals and adding one assist.
Martin gave the midfielder ample opportunity to showcase his skills, and Aribo settled into a more prominent role in the team.
For Paul Onuachu, Martin also provided some opportunities, with the striker playing in eight matches. Despite these chances, Onuachu struggled to break into the starting lineup on a consistent basis.
6. Simon Rusk (Caretaker Manager)
When Russell Martin was dismissed, Simon Rusk stepped in as caretaker manager. Under Rusk, Southampton faced Liverpool in a tough EFL Cup match that ended in a 2-1 loss.
Both Aribo and Onuachu featured in the game, though neither significantly impacted the outcome.
7. Ivan Juric
The former Roma boss recently took over at Southampton, and Aribo has not started any matches under Juric. Onuachu has also not had the chance to make a significant impact under the Croatian.
Both players will hope for a chance to showcase their talents under the new manager as the season progresses.