In order to avoid relegation you have to have a decent manager and even then it may not be enough- as Wigan Athletic demonstrated with Roberto Martinez at the helms. Hughes' last successful spell in charge of a club was now six years ago at Blackburn Rovers, a very long time ago especially in football. Since then he has done very badly. A poor time in charge of moneybags Manchester City was followed by an eleven month stint at Fulham, where he walked out in a decision that raise eyebrows. His next club was QPR and it was ultimately down to him that the club was relegated even though he was sacked 6 months before the end of the season. His overspending and poor transfer activity sent the club down, he's now in real danger of doing the same with Stoke. His tactics are notoriously poor and he receives a lot of criticism, rightly so. It is worth noting he's never been relegated but the major factor there in recent years is that he hasn't been in his position long enough.