![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2.36478398.jpg\")
Mark Hughes has been rewarded for keeping Southampton in the Premier League with a new three-year deal.<\/p>\nMark Hughes has been rewarded for keeping Southampton in the Premier League with a new three-year deal.<\/p>\n
The former Wales, Manchester City and Stoke boss was tasked with keeping the Saints in the top flight when he took charge in March.<\/p>\n
He did just that and will now stay at St Mary\u2019s \u2013 along with assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki \u2013 until the summer of 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cMark, 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,\u201d Hughes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it is vital that we take the unbelievable support we received from the fans during the last few games into next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southampton were a point above the drop zone when the 54-year-old \u2013 sacked by Stoke earlier in the season \u2013 replaced Mauricio Pellegrino.<\/p>\n
Hughes won three of his 10 games in charge, the most crucial being a 1-0 victory at Swansea in the penultimate game of the season which effectively secured survival at the expense of their opponents.<\/p>\n
Hughes made 61 appearances for Southampton during an illustrious playing career that also took in the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.<\/p>\n
As a manager he impressed in his first role in charge of Wales, before moving on to make a positive impression at Blackburn.<\/p>\n
From there he went to Manchester City, Fulham and QPR before spending four and a half years at Stoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cMark and his team had a massive impact from the first day on the players, staff and fans alike, and was able to pull together everyone involved with the club to deliver the results needed,\u201d a Southampton statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important now, under Mark\u2019s leadership, for everyone to move into the new season with a renewed focus and energy alongside the continued and valuable support of our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n