Southampton Appoint Mark Hughes As New Manager In Fight Against Relegation (Details)

Mark Hughes has been appointed the new manager of Southampton – and will net a £2million survival bonus if he keeps them in the Premier League.

Hughes, 54, will take his first training session on Thursday after agreeing to replace the sacked Mauricio Pellegrino at St Mary’s.

Hughes has agreed a deal until the end of the season with the option of signing a long-term contract if Southampton avoid the drop.

The former Blackburn and Manchester City chief inherits a team just one place and one point above the bottom three after a nightmare run of one win in 17 games under the hapless Pellegrino.

“It's a challenge I'm excited by. It's a great opportunity to come back to a clubI know well, and a club I've got real affinity with, and I couldn't turn that down," Hughes said.

"I bring experience of the Premier League. I understand what it takes in thisleague 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' first game in charge will be Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Wigan.

Hughes will become only the second manager after Sam Allardyce to manage six different Premier League clubs.

The Manchester United legend, who has never been relegated, had been out of work since being sacked by Saints’ fellow strugglers Stoke in January.

Hughes will be assisted by long-term lieutenants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki.