a short-term contract for the remainder of the 2017–18 season. His first game was a 2–0 win at Wigan Athletic in an FA Cup quarter final. On 25 May 2018, after a season that saw the Saints retain their Premier League status, the club announced that Hughes had signed a new three-year contract. His assistants, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, also signed long-term contracts with the club. Despite a number of positive signings in the summer transfer window, Southampton made a poor start to the 2018–19 season and on 2 December 2018, with the club 18th in the table, Hughes was dismissed. He was replaced by former RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhüttl. Bradford City On 24 February 2022, Hughes was appointed manager of Bradford City on a deal until the summer of 2024. This was the first time he had managed a club outside the Premier League. Hughes was nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for September 2022 after Bradford went unbeaten in four matches. Personal life Throughout his career, Hughes has been known by the nickname "Sparky" which he took from the comic of the same name. Hughes grew up supporting his hometown club, Wrexham. He was awarded an OBE in 2004. Hughes has two sons, Alex and Curtis, and a daughter, Xenna, who plays hockey for Wales. Hughes wrote his autobiography in 1990 entitled Sparky – Barcelona, Bayern and Back. Career statistics Club Sources: A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the European Super Cup, FA Charity Shield, Football League Centenary Trophy and Football League Super Cup. International Sources: Wales score listed first, score column indicates score after each Hughes goal. Managerial statistics Honours Player Manchester United Premier League: 1992–93, 1993–94 FA Cup: 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94 Football League Cup: 1991–92 FA Charity Shield: 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup: 1990–91 European Super Cup: 1991 Chelsea FA Cup: 1996–97 Football League Cup: 1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1997–98 Blackburn Rovers Football League Cup: 2001–02 Football League First Division runner-up: 2000–01 Individual PFA Young Player of the Year: 1984–85 PFA Players' Player of the Year: 1988–89, 1990–91 PFA First Division Team of the Year: 1985–86, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 1990–91 Welsh Footballer of the Year: 1993, 1994 Chelsea Player of the Year: 1996–97 Inducted into English Football Hall of Fame BBC Wales Sports Personality of the