Newcastle owner Mike Ashley turned to Hughton rather than Alan Shearer following the club's relegation to the Championship and he responded by guiding the club to promotion seven months ago and yet no long-term deal was forthcoming.
Really the club could have patted Hughton on the head last summer and said thanks a lot following promotion last summer but clearly wanted a good reason to be able to dismiss a manager who grew on the Tyneside public.
There has always been a feeling that today's dismissal was inevitable because if Ashley had been completely behind Hughton he would have handed him a long-term deal to stabilise a club synonymous with instability.
Hughton's sacking was always going to happen sooner rather than later and he has been shown the exit because his paymasters have started panicking over what could happen to the club should Newcastle be relegated again.
Despite promotion, sports retail mogul Ashley clearly had his doubts about Hughton's ability to pit his wits against his Premier League peers which explains why the club have put off contract talks until the turn of the year.
It is now looking as if Ashley and Newcastle managing-director Derek Llambias have been waiting for an excuse to fire Hughton who has conducted himself with great honour throughout his stay on Tyneside.
Hughton, a great survivor during his days as a coach at Tottenham, managed to dodge the bullets following the 5-1 defeat at Bolton and a 1-1 draw against Chelsea suggested he had what it took to consolidate Newcastle's top-flight status.
However, that error-strewn 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion clearly made Ashley think otherwise and he will now be seeking the sixth manager since he bought the club in July 2008.
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