Legendary Manchester United forward Mark Hughes will manage in the National League next season after confirming he will remain at Carlisle United who were relegated from League Two earlier this month.
Hughes was appointed as Carlisle manager in February after previously having managed League Two rival Bradford, who he was sacked by in October 2023.
The 61-year-old has extensive experience in the Premier League after spells at Manchester City, Southampton, Stoke City and Fulham, among others.
Hughes made his first foray into coaching as Wales in 1999, despite only retiring from his playing career in 2002.
Across 459 appearances at Old Trafford, Hughes scored 161 goals. He won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and is considered one of the club’s best forwards.
The Welshman also played Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea across a glittering career.
Hughes’ last Premier League coaching role was for Southampton six-and-half years ago but he will begin preparations for life in the National League after it was confirmed Carlisle had been relegated from League Two with a game to spare.
There had been doubts whether Hughes would follow The Cumbrians into non-league football but the 61-year-old coach confirmed his intention to remain in place at Brunton Park next season.
Hughes’ statement read: “I’m thrilled to be staying at the club. Since joining back in February, the support I’ve received from the fans has been exceptional – thank you. I hope to see more of the same next season as we aim for an immediate return to the EFL.”
Speaking to The Sun, ‘Sparky’ confirmed he “has no ego” and is looking forward to the challenge of managing at the opposite end of the football pyramid, despite his past experience.
“Just because I played for United and managed clubs like City, or led my country, doesn’t mean being in charge of a National League team would somehow be beneath me. Maybe other people might feel that but not me, even if I recognise it would be pretty unique for someone with some of the high spots I’ve had in my career.
“I showed how much I still love being a manager by going to Bradford — when you’ve been a manager as long as I have you just miss that buzz of standing on the touchline at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.”
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
