Manager Mark Hughes was rewarded today, via a three contract extension, for saving Southampton FC from relegation. The south coast club was dangerously residing in the drop zone until very late in the season, causing all kinds of anxiety for the team and their supporters.
In the end though, Hughes led Saints to a 17th place finish, the final safety spot, as they finished the season with 36 points, three ahead of now relegated Swansea City. Thus, Southampton FC announce a new deal for their 54-year-old boss.
Assistant First Team Manager Mark Bowen and First Team Coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also signed long-term contracts.
“Mark, Eddie and I are thrilled to have signed long-term contracts with the club. It was the only option we considered, having spent the last eight weeks with the club,” said Hughes.
“Now it is vital that we take the unbelievable support we received from the fans during the last few games into next season. The staff and the players will work hard every day to deliver the success this club deserves, and with everyone pulling together we will achieve our goals.”
Having survived to fight on for another season in the Premier League, what Southampton needs now is stability. Mark Hughes is their third manager in less than a year (Claude Puel, Mauricio Pellegrino were the others) and fourth in the past two years (Ronald Koeman preceded Puel).
They had established themselves as a mid table side, competing for Europa League qualification. Having some leadership stability would no doubt help them get back to that level. Perhaps Mark Hughes will be able to provide that.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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