Hughes signs new deal as Southampton manager

Southampton have announced that Mark Hughes has signed a new three-year deal as manager.

Hughes, 54, guided Southampton to Premier League safety this season, after being appointed in March. He gained seven points from seven matches to lift the team out of the bottom three.

"Mark 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," a club statement said.

"It is important now, under Mark’s leadership, for everyone to move into the new season with a renewed focus and energy alongside the continued and valuable support of our fans."

The club also confirmed that Hughes’s assistant first-team manager, Mark Bowen, and first-team coach, Eddie Niedzwiecki, also signed long-term contracts.

"Now it is vital that we take the unbelievable support we received from the fans during the last few games into next season," Hughes told Southampton’s official website.

"The 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."

Southampton will find out their 2018/19 Premier League fixtures when they are released at 09:00 BST on 14 June.