BREAKING: Southampton appoint Mark Hughes as new manager

Just 48 hours after the sacking of Mauricio Pellegino, Southampton have hired their third boss in less than year with Mark Hughes putting pen to paper on a short-term deal.

The 54-year-old was the early favourite for the position following the Southampton board’s decision to part ways with the Argentine on Monday. Hughes, once a Saints player, has signed a deal with the club until the end of the season.

The Welshman boasts over a decade of Premier League experience and therefore his appointment goes against the grain of Southampton’s normal managerial choices.

However, with the Saints currently flirting with relegation with just eight league games to go, the board evidently believed that a seasoned manager who is accustomed to the top flight would be the better option.

Hughes most recently managed Stoke for the best part of five years before being rid of his duties earlier this year – despite the sacking he received praise for transforming the Potters from a ‘Tony Pulis side’ into one that boasted creative talent like Xherdan Shaqiri and Eric Choupo-Moting.

Irregardless Hughes’ appointment will divide the crowd, especially with names like Unai Emery, Marco Silva and Thomas Tuchel all batted around over the past year to 18 months.

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However with Premier League survival anything but confirmed, the Saints need a manager who has done the rounds and also isn’t afraid to make his feelings clear.

One of Mauricio Pellegrino many faults was his apparent brushing over of issues at least during the Saints’ press conferences. The 46-year-old rarely addressed the ever-growing problems Southampton were facing, whereas Hughes has never been afraid to speak his mind.

Whilst this has, on several occasions, landed the Welshman in hot water, it would be refreshing with Claude Puel not too dissimilar with his press handling either. You’d imagine as a result Hughes would get into the players who need to take just as much responsibility for the Saints’ shortcomings this campaign.

The ex-Stoke manager’s appointment may seem too little too late but the timing does have it’s benefits. Southampton face Wigan in what would be a confidence-boosting win in the FA Cup this weekend before having two weeks to learn Hughes’ methods and tactics thanks to an international break before their next Premier League game.