I’m too busy for relegation
MARK HUGHES has hit back defiantly at his critics saying: “I don’t do relegation.” Stoke manager Hughes defended his record in the face of mounting condemnation following a run of three wins in their past 15 games. His side host West Ham tomorrow with defeat certain to heap extra pressure on him but Hughes said: “A lot of managers have a badge of honour that they’ve never been relegated. I’ve never been relegated because I’m too busy trying to get in the top 10.”
Hughes avoided the drop on the final day of the 2012 season with QPR but led Stoke to ninth place in each of his first three years in charge before finishing 13th last season.
“Certain situations repeat during a managerial career and you try to keep the poorer times at bay,” he said. “But everybody has times when it’s not going as well as you hoped.
“I’m very fortunate, I don’t take any work issues into my home life and I’m grateful for that ability because I know many managers who aren’t able to do it. Maybe it’s why I’ve had longevity in this game.”
Hughes claims his relationship with owner Peter Coates and son John is as strong as ever.
“I speak almost every day to John or Peter,” said Hughes. “They know they have good people working for them and allow them to get on with the job they are paid to do. That’s what they are doing with me.”