Southampton boss expects talks on future this week
Monday 14 May 2018 08:21, UK
Mark Hughes praised the "huge effort" of everybody at Southampton after the club secured Premier League safety on the final day of the season.
Despite falling 1-0 at home to champions Manchester City, the Saints survived by three points after Swansea lost 2-1 at home to already-relegated Stoke.
Back in March, Hughes was tasked with turning Southampton's fortunes around when appointed manager until the end of the season, and though it took until the last round of fixtures, he admitted it was a big relief.
"It has been a huge effort from everybody," Hughes told Sky Sports. "It wasn't an easy situation that I found when I came here - clearly we had difficult fixtures as well, not least this one to finish.
"You always thought, 'Goodness me', we didn't really want it to come to this day and have to win, but I thought we played very well today and arguably had the better of it in the second half.
"But with the quality they have, it only takes one moment. Congratulations to City, they've been absolutely magnificent this season.
"For them to get all the records they've achieve this year, it's evidence of an outstanding team."
With Hughes' future at the club beyond this season unknown, the former Southampton player said he expects to find out more this week before he goes on holiday.
Hughes added: "I'm sure I'll get some real indication this week. I'm going away next weekend on holiday. Everybody needs to know which way the club wants to go."
Meanwhile, Hughes could not help but reflect on former side Stoke's relegation from the top-flight.
The Potters finished 19th, with the club's owners going on to admit they should have sacked the Welshman sooner than January.
"It's a difficult time for my previous club, Stoke," Hughes said. "I've got a lot of feelings for them, the players there gave me everything during my time. It was unfortunate.
"At the end of the day, I wasn't the man they felt could take them forward anymore. That happens in football unfortunately.
"But in this game you have to pick yourself up quickly and go for the next opportunity. This presented itself, I could have shied away from it but felt I could help a club I played for and get them out the predicament they found themselves in."
