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Report: Hughes set for huge bonus if Southampton avoids relegation

OLLY GREENWOOD / AFP / Getty

Mark Hughes could fatten his wallet in time for the summer holidays.

Southampton will hand over a bonus of just under £1 million to the Welshman if he maintains the club's top-flight status, according to The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson.

Hughes, who was unveiled as the new Saints boss on Wednesday, is contracted until the end of the season, but it's understood a mutual decision will be made on whether he continues in the role when the 2017-18 term concludes.

The Southampton board was initially reluctant in changing manager while the season was ongoing, but felt the need to act following Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United. Mauricio Pellegrino was given the boot on Monday, and the club acted quickly to hire somebody with a breadth of knowledge in English football.

Hughes, 54, began his coaching career in charge of Wales but has since become one of the most experienced top-flight managers around after stints at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, and Stoke City. Some Southampton fans may question his credentials, however, since he left his previous role after watching his slipshod Stoke team allow a league-worst 47 goals through 22 games.

Related: What went wrong? Why Stoke is in the midst of a relegation dogfight

Hughes will be thrust into the spotlight when the Saints travel to League One's Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday. He then has some time to familiarise himself with his squad before a trip to West Ham United on March 31.

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