MARK HUGHES HAS been named Southampton manager for the remainder of this season.
The 54-year-old takes over from Argentine coach Mauricio Pellegrino, who was sacked on Monday.
Ex-Wales and Manchester United striker Hughes, who played two seasons for the Saints between 1998 and 2000, has been out of work since parting company with Stoke City back in January.
He has also had managerial spells with the Welsh national team, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers.
“It’s a challenge I’m excited by,” Hughes said. “It’s a great opportunity to come back to a club I know well, and a club I’ve got real affinity with, and I couldn’t turn that down.
“I bring experience of the Premier League. I understand what it takes in this league to win games. But first and foremost I think it’s about coming in and maybe being that different voice, that different message from myself and the staff, that will enable the players to recognise and focus on what needs to be done in this key period of the season.
The objective clearly is to remain in the league and make sure we’re a Premier League club next year. That’s where this club needs to be, that’s where it should be, and that’s our intention to make sure it remains there.”
Hughes will take charge of Southampton for the first time in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final with League One outfit Wigan Athletic.
The South Coast club sit 17th in the Premier League table thanks to one win in 17 league matches.
Great to see him back in management. An inspired appointment. Will we see the first ever manager to relegate two teams in one season? Baffles me how these guys keep getting jobs.
@Darragh Martin: Brian Laws did it with Burnley and Sheff Wednesday in 2010 I think
@Dublin Gooner: It wasn’t Sheffield Wednesday anyway
@Darragh Martin: Harry Rednapp did it with Southampton and Portsmouth a number of years ago
Its one big merry go round for managers
@800yearsofoppresion: I’ve been saying that for ages now. Hughes, Moyes, Allardyce, Pardew, Hodgson, and these are just the British mangers. Sacked by one club because they are not considered good enough and a few weeks later are hired by another to try and save them from relegation. Hughes has got just 8 games to save Southampton from relegation, a poison chalice. What happens if he fails? Crazy stuff.
@Sloop John G: Then Big Sam slots in after Alan Pardew is hired as Everton manager. Poor relegated West Brom will end up with ‘arry Redknapp and lucky West Ham will take a chance on Roy Hodgson after he keeps Crystal Palace up and they announce David Moyes on a 6 year contract.
@An Observer2: ha ha very good. You should get down to the bookies with that prediction today, could make a real killing by August. I expect Slaven Bilic will resurface somewhere in the summer too to add to that list. Maybe even Tony Pullis if he doesn’t get Middlesbrough promoted.
Welcome to the championship
Inspirational appointment
Another dinosaur that’s rewarded after failure at his previous club. League needs more Eddie Howes
A good fit , knows the club having spent some time there as a player
What a load of knob. He was there as a player for about 18 months so he’s the obvious choice then?
@Cathal: like it or not he has premier league experience, he has probably played and managed a team at every ground in the league, 2 seasons as a player is still 2 seasons. This all gives him a clear advantage over someone else coming in that probably hasn’t even kicked a ball in England before but is expected to save the club and adjust straight away with 8 games to go . I rest my case
@David Carino:
Maroco Silva came with no premiership experince. in his first 8 games he won 3 drew 2 and lost 3. Played Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal and liverpool in those eight games.
Hull had a far worse squad than Southampton. Hull did get relegated but absolutely no one blamed Silva and thought he did far better than anyone imagined he would.
You havent proven anything apart from you like imaginary advantages.
This guy has robbed a living as a manager! What has he ever done at any club that merits the jobs he continues to get?!
@Michael Dunne: some salt with your chip ?