Next manager

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As far as I recall, Ron was hardly a popular choice on here. High profile player cum journeyman manager; on paper a decent enough start to his managerial career, but a lot of 'meh' in more recent years. Doesn't sound a million miles away from Hughes. And, statistically, Ron turned into our most successful PL manager ever.

Right place, right time. What had gone before didn't really matter. He was what we needed at that time. A strong personality, with huge confidence in himself. A reputation to be respected in the football community. Someone who, at least in my view, was engaging with the fans.

Look, his football was never, ever on a par with Poch's. In fact, we had some real dire under Ron (although in the main, there wasn't much to complain about, certainly in retrospect). But we didn't necessary need it to be on such a par. In the previous six months we had lost half our team, our chairman and our manager. We're not Man Utd; having that all hit us in such a short space of time could, maybe should, have finished us.

I'm going round the houses somewhat here, I know. But my point is that I can see potential for Hughes to be our next right place, right time manager. He ticks sufficient boxes for me that we could do with right now. (I also think, if the worst happens, that he could bring us back up again.) Is it a long-term option for us if we stay in the PL? Probably not. I'd be surprised if we didn't find ourselves parting ways at some point over the following two years, should we survive this season. But beggars can't be choosers right now, and he really appeals to me in that scenario.

This outlook does make me feel slightly better Brendy, and you’re correct. Thank you.
 
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As is well known , I am now a fan of saints as opposed to being a supporter . I have to say though that people moan wanting a replacement , and even before the probable candidate is in place they moan <doh>
 
The issue with Hughes is that players tend to seriously dislike him, and consequently he has rapidly diminishing returns as a manager. Similar to us, Stoke declined long before their league position crashed.
 
1. He’s got plenty of EPL experience
2. He isn’t Pulis
3. He isn’t Big Sam
4. He isn’t Moyes

Call me easily pleased if you like. The fact is that Poch was not greeted as the real deal and TLD was unproven in the EPL. Neither manager we wanted to leave. Getting 3 brilliant selections in a row was beyond the board so it’s not a bad time to play fairly safe. Assuming that we stay up, there will plenty of opportunities to call for Hughes’ head next season, after any poor result, on here, as usual.
 
Do tell , how have we fallen ?

give the man a chance !!!
How have we fallen? Is that a genuine question?

Whether you go back last season when we beat Inter or even further when we played some of the best football in the league under Pochettino - i think its pretty clear we have fallen drastically!

As for Hughes, I really dont rate him and think if we got him we would find ourselves in the same situation of dull football amd poor league form next season. I would obviously give hime my full support if he got the job but that doesnt mean i dont think he is crap!
 
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Just been speaking to a Southampton satellite coach, who told me that Hughes will be announced as manager tomorrow, and will take1st team training on Thursday?
 
Ah, votes of confidence all round it is then :emoticon-0101-sadsm

Can anyone brighten the mood (a little) by naming the last SSouthampton F. C Manager who was (almost?) universally welcomed by the Saints fans?
 
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