Former Stoke City assistant coach Mark Hughes has made a surprising return to playing, signing with non-league side Clitheroe just days after leaving the Potters.
The 37-year-old defender has joined the Northern Premier League club on non-contract terms, as confirmed by Clitheroe’s official social media channels. Hughes’ departure from Stoke came following the dismissal of manager Steven Schumacher, with whom he had worked closely. The pair took charge at Stoke last December, after a successful stint together at Plymouth Argyle, and helped secure the club’s Championship status last season.
However, despite overseeing a summer rebuild, they were relieved of their duties just five games into the current campaign. Narcis Pélach, formerly of Huddersfield Town and Norwich City, has since taken over the managerial role at Stoke.
Clitheroe, currently mid-table in the Northern Premier League, have had a mixed start to their season with two wins, two draws, and two losses from their opening six games. Sitting 13th, they are eight points behind league leaders Bootle. The signing of Hughes is a notable addition for the non-league side, bringing Football League experience to their squad.
The club announced the move on X, posting:“BLUES SIGN HUGHES. CFC adds football league experience in centre-back Mark Hughes on non-contract terms, subject to league ratification. He’s been Assistant Manager at Stoke City & Plymouth. And has played for Bury, @asfcofficial, Morecambe, Stevenage & Bristol Rovers.”
For Hughes, this move represents a chance to return to playing while keeping his options open for the future. As a trusted member of Schumacher’s backroom staff, there is speculation that Hughes could reunite with him once the manager finds a new role. In the meantime, the former Everton academy product will be adding his experience and leadership to Clitheroe as he weighs his next steps in coaching.
Hughes’ playing career has taken him through various clubs across the Football League, starting at Everton, with loan spells at Stockport County and Northampton Town to gain early experience. His time with clubs like Bury, Morecambe, and Accrington Stanley brought significant success, including being part of the Accrington side that won the League Two title in 2018.
After a brief playing spell at Bristol Rovers, Hughes transitioned into coaching, where he worked alongside Schumacher at Plymouth Argyle before following him to Stoke in 2023.
Our View: Unpredictable Journey
From Stoke City’s perspective, Mark Hughes’ return to playing football is a surprising yet commendable decision. Having established himself as a capable coach, helping Stoke secure their place in the Championship last season, it seemed like Hughes and Schumacher had more to offer at the club. However, the fast-paced nature of football management saw their project cut short early this season.
Hughes’ move to Clitheroe keeps him actively involved in football, offering him the chance to stay physically and mentally sharp while his coaching future remains uncertain. His decision to step back onto the pitch in the seventh tier demonstrates his love for the game and his desire to remain in football during this transitional period.
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