Mark Hughes has been rewarded for keeping Southampton in the Premier League with a new three-year deal.

The former Wales, Manchester City and Stoke boss was tasked with keeping the Saints in the top flight when he took charge in March.

He did just that and will now stay at St Mary's - along with assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki - until the summer of 2021.

"Mark, Eddie and I are thrilled to have signed long-term contracts with the club. It was the only option we considered, having spent the last eight weeks with the club," Hughes said.

"Now it is vital that we take the unbelievable support we received from the fans during the last few games into next season.

"The staff and the players will work hard every day to deliver the success this club deserves, and with everyone pulling together we will achieve our goals."

Southampton were a point above the drop zone when the 54-year-old - sacked by Stoke earlier in the season - replaced Mauricio Pellegrino.

Hughes won three of his 10 games in charge, the most crucial being a 1-0 victory at Swansea in the penultimate game of the season which effectively secured survival at the expense of their opponents.