Mark Hughes’ first Premier League game in charge of Southampton will come against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
West Ham United fans seem more than happy with the news that Southampton have appointed Mark Hughes on a contract until the end of the season.
The Saints are just one point above the drop zone and have turned to Hughes in an attempt to wake themselves up fast with the club sleep walking towards relegation under previous incumbent Mauricio Pellegrino.
And Hughes’ first Premier League game in charge of Southampton will be a trip to West Ham on the final day of this month. With the Hammers just a point and two places ahead of their South Coast adversaries, this has the makings of a real relegation six pointer.
But some West Ham fans are breathing a sigh of relief with the ink still dry on Hughes’ short-term deal at St Mary’s. Far from being fearful of that infamous ‘new manager bounce’, the claret and blue faithful believe their own hopes of survival have been boosted by a relegation rival appointing a manager sacked just two months ago for leading the usually stable Stoke City into the bottom three.
Hughes has perhaps arrived at Southampton at the lowest point of his managerial career after the dismal end to life at the Potters and it seems he has a point to prove not only to his new supporters but the West Ham fans too.
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