Some of the media outlets seem certain that Saints will appoint Mark Hughes as the next manager of the club within the next 48 hours.

He is not the first choice of many Saints supporters but many national news agencies are suggesting that Mark Hughes will be appointed as the successor to Mauricio Pellegrino and it will be dont within the next 48 hours.

The suggestion is that although the defeat at Newcastle was the straw that broke the camel's back for the Saints board regarding Pellegrino, that they havebeen actively sounding out possible alternatives for the past few weeks and are likely to hit the ground running after last night's announcement.

Mark Hughes name keeps coming up, although could this be because Saints have been speaking to him or just agents trying to stir up the market is unclear.

The big question though will be whether this is a long term appointment made or merely a short term contract to the end of the season.

Short term deals are becoming more common place these days and offer both manager and club the chance to back out at the end of the season.

So although Hughes would not be a universally popular long term appointment amongst fans, a short term deal would be a different matter.

Saints need a firefighter at present, someone who knows the Premier League and what is required and Hughes would fit that bill.

Also that would buy Saints time to find a manager who they would be happy with long term, although Pelelgrino has been a disaster the club would prefer to get a manager who would be in for the long term and not just as a stepping stone, that doesn't look likely now but would be easier to implement in the summer.

Certainly with noone within the club at the moment with any real coaching experience in the Premier League or for that matter in adult professional football, getting someone in with experience is a priority and would be preferable before we play Wigan

Photo: Action Images

SaintBen added 14:11 - Mar 13 I'd like to see Gordon Strachan, he has the sort of character that would invigorate the players, with also the stern battling qualities to motivate them until the end of the season. We were in a similar position when he last came to the club, and we saw an immediate turn-around in results, attacking football with players fitness also benefiting.
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BoondockSaint added 14:30 - Mar 13 If it's him. is just for the season to see if he can light a fire under the players? And then they look for a bigger name? Or, does the board reckon, "If we stay up, he's a mid-table manager which is all we want, and if we go down, he needs the work and will stay."? At least his half time talks won't be nice if there is no effort.
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SaintBen added 14:51 - Mar 13 Apparently he still lives in the area (or has a house down here) I think we could do alot worse, for the next 8 games and then evaluate again in the summer (when other longer-term options may become available)...
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SaintBen added 14:51 - Mar 13 Apparently he still lives in the area (or has a house down here) I think we could do alot worse, for the next 8 games and then evaluate again in the summer (when other longer-term options may become available)...
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Sanguin added 16:10 - Mar 13 I think the decision to sack Pellegrino was made before the Newcastle game, I think that people at the club knew Pellegrino was already out and that influenced our performance against Newcastle. I’d be happy with Mark Hughes as a longer term appointment. He secured three consecutive ninth place finishes with Stoke. I think he can stabilise the club and would probably be happy to stick with us in the Championship if we do go down. We can keep him for next season as we rebuild and then reassess at the end of next season if we feel we can do better.

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underweststand added 18:26 - Mar 13 If... wer are talking about Mark Hughes as a possible replacement, he'd be best bet as he's an experienced Prem.manager, not to mention his own career as a top class striker. He wouldn't want to stay if we do go down, so If I were Les... I'd make him an offer he couldn't refuse...like.. we'll employ you for 8 games and pay you a million - IF YOU KEEP US UP...and a bonus if we make it to the Cup Final then look at a cast-iron contract in the summer, with the promise of some good money for transfers in the close season.

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KriSaint added 21:38 - Mar 13 He took Blackburn to 2 FA cup semi-finals and Man. City to a league cup semi-final. Maybe he can take us to the final and more importantly get us 3 wins from 8 league games.
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