admin
LONDON. – Mark Hughes has been sacked as Southampton manager after 10 matches without a victory in the English Premier League. Saints chiefs have given the Welshman his marching orders after a poor start to the campaign, ending his tenure after nine months.
The decision comes after the Saints drew 2-2 with Manchester United on Saturday, having led 2-0 during the first half.
Assistant manager Mark Bowen and assistant coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also left the club with immediate effect.
The Welshman was appointed following the dismissal of Mauricio Pellegrino in order to keep the team in the Premier League.
The former Fulham and Stoke manger picked up two wins from his eight Premier League games in charge last season, keeping the Saints in the top flight with a scrappy 1-0 win at Swansea in the penultimate game of the season.
The club have already begun their search for a new manager, with owner Jisheng Gao and chairman Ralph Krueger expected to lead the search after director of football Les Reed was dismissed last month.
Former club captain Kelvin Davis will take charge of the team for their trip to face his old manager Mauricio Pochettino and his Tottenham side at Wembley tomorrow before travelling to Cardiff at the weekend. A club statement read: “We would like to express our thanks to Mark and his staff for all of their efforts during their time at St Mary’s.
“The search for a new manager to take the club forward is already under way.”
Hughes was appointed Southampton boss back in March, tasked with keeping the club in the Premier League after Mauricio Pellegrino had been dismissed with the club in relegation trouble. The former Stoke boss, sacked by the Potters in January, did just that, a 1-0 win at Swansea in the season’s penultimate fixture ensuring safety.
But Southampton have again found themself fighting a relegation battle this term, and are winless in seven home matches this term.
Their only victory came on September 1, at Crystal Palace, and Hughes exits with a win ratio of just 19.2 percent. Former Atletico Madrid and Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores is the early favourite with bookmakers to take charge. David Moyes is open to speaking to Southampton about their vacant managerial position, according to Sky sources. – Sky Sports.
Online Reporter