Mark Hughes left 'totally heartbroken' by sudden death of son aged 38

Alex Hughes, the son of former Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes, has passed away at the age of 38.

The League Managers Association has distributed a statement on behalf of Mark Hughes and the Hughes family.

"Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex," read the statement.

"Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.

"He will be so deeply missed by us all."

Alex Hughes was the player recruitment lead at League Two club Grimsby Town, whom he joined from Morecambe of the National League last summer.

He worked successfully in various recruitment, performance analysis and football strategy at clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, Reading, 1860 Munich and AFC Fylde.

His appointment as the Mariners' recruitment chief was hailed by the club's first team manager, David Artell, when it was announced last July.

"[Hughes'] experience and knowledge in player negotiations along with his background and pedigree from his previous clubs really made him an outstanding choice," said Artell.

"I’m excited to work with him as we look to continue to develop our recruitment process and improve the talent on the pitch."

Grimsby finished seventh in League Two in 2025-26, losing to Salford City in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs.

Mark Hughes is a legend of modern football

Mark Hughes left Carlisle United in May after 16 months as manager, during which he oversaw the Blues' first season back in the National League after attempting to save them from a second successive relegation.

He started his managerial career with Wales in 1999 before spells in charge of Blackburn Rovers, Man City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, Southampton and Bradford City.

Known affectionately as 'Sparky', Hughes the player was a globally renowned centre-forward who enjoyed a playing career that took him to Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich during the 1980s.

The 72-cap Welsh international re-signed for Man Utd in 1988 and played more than 250 top-flight matches there before finishing his playing days with Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.