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Southampton: Is this Mark Hughes’ best opportunity yet?

By Marc Walker

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mark Hughes new manager of Southampton looks on prior to The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mark Hughes new manager of Southampton looks on prior to The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Since becoming Southampton manager back in March, it cannot be denied that Mark Hughes has done a great job so far.

He was given a tough task to save the club from relegation following the dismissal of former Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino and did so in dramatic fashion, but seemed to remain ice cool throughout the final period of the season.

Now, after being given the job full-time on a three-year deal, it could be argued that this is the Welshman’s best opportunity to build something of his own.

A number of high-profile signings have come in at St Mary’s this summer and it looks as though not many will leave. This hints that the club mean business again and are willing to back their new man to return the team to the top-half.

With a strong supply of players from Saints’ youth academy, renewed financial backing and a club that’s hungry to remove any complacency that crept in for the last two seasons, there is certainly an opening to be taken advantage of.

Next: Saints still looking to loan out Boufal and Forster

SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton celebrates during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton celebrates during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

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Since moving into management in 1999 with the Welsh national team, Hughes has taken the reigns at each of Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR and Stoke City and had varying success.

Blackburn proved to be his breakthrough into club management. Fairly limited resources saw him guide the club to finishes of 15th, 6th, 10th and 7th in the league with a cup semi and European football thrown in too.

This earned him a crack with Manchester City following their takeover. However, he was always going to have to give way when managers such as Roberto Mancini became available to challenge for the title.

An eighth placed finish with Fulham and a successful relegation battle with QPR followed in the next two campaigns but it felt like he was never fully backed at those clubs either.

Hughes’ time at Stoke then proved his ability to stabilise a mid-table team as he was given five years to construct his own style and own team. Even here though – as shown last summer – he didn’t get the exact players that he needed to sustain this level.

Now the efficiency of him and right-hand men Eddie Niedzwiecki and Mark Bowen is just what Saints need. There is a great but recently under-performing platform for them to step onto with and a lot of room in which to work.

Whereas in the past he has not been backed or been seen as a intermediate appointment, the 54-year-old will find belief in him on the South Coast after proving himself in last season’s relegation battle.

Hughes’ reigns sometimes end on a sour note, but he has also shown that he can be the man to take Saints back to their performance levels.