Mark Hughes: Rumours of getting sacked is “water off a duck’s back”

Southampton manager Mark Hughes says the speculation surrounding his Saints future is “water off a duck’s back.”

Hughes took over from Mauricio Pellegrino in March last season and helped the club survive its relegation battle.

However, Saints’ form has since taken a sharp nosedive, culminating in Hughes only overseeing three wins from 21 games.

Hughes is under pressure from a beleaguered fanbase, and now the media are linking various managers to his job.

”I think that is where the experience comes in, because it’s water off a duck’s back if I am honest,” Hughes said of the rumours regarding his job security in his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s visit on Saturday.

”I know how this game works, the reality is if people summarise that a manager is under pressure then low and behold every sports agency in the country will put forward clients.

”Debate, try and get in contact with the powers at be and say ‘listen this is the right guy if you are thinking of making a change’.

”That’s what happens. I understand that, it’s not a problem, its people doing their business but it’s when that is a little bit too obvious, when people are setting the agenda for themselves, to benefit themselves. That is when I rile against it if I am honest.”

Hughes was sacked by Stoke last season and believes the negative stories aimed at him are a direct result of the club’s poor form. Stating the obvious.

”It’s what a lack of positive results brings,” Hughes continued. “In this day and age, there are media outlets out there that try and set the agenda, when really it isn’t backing up my facts or the reality of the situation at the club.”