View source for Mark Hughes

{{Short description|Welsh football manager (born 1963)}}
{{about|the Welsh international footballer|other people}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Mark Hughes<br><small>[[Officer of the Order of the British Empire|OBE]]</small>
| image          = 1 mark hughes 2015.jpg
| caption        = Hughes as manager of [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in 2015
| full_name      = Leslie Mark Hughes<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|9616|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1963|11|1|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman/>
| birth_place    = [[Ruabon]], Wales
| height =  {{convert|1.74|m|order=flip}}<ref name="PremProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/339/Mark-Hughes/overview |title=Mark Hughes: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref>
| position       = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub    =  [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] (Head coach)
| youthyears1    = 1978–1980 |youthclubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| years1         = 1980–1986 |clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] |caps1 = 89  |goals1 = 37
| years2         = 1986–1988 |clubs2 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]                   |caps2 = 28  |goals2 = 4
| years3         = 1987–1988 |clubs3 = → [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] (loan)  |caps3 = 18  |goals3 = 6
| years4         = 1988–1995 |clubs4 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] |caps4 = 256 |goals4 = 83
| years5         = 1995–1998 |clubs5 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]                     |caps5 = 95  |goals5 = 25
| years6         = 1998–2000 |clubs6 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]             |caps6 = 52  |goals6 = 2
| years7         = 2000      |clubs7 = [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]                     |caps7 = 18  |goals7 = 1
| years8         = 2000–2002 |clubs8 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]   |caps8 = 50  |goals8 = 6
| totalcaps      = 606       |totalgoals = 164
| nationalyears1 = 1984–1999 |nationalteam1 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]] |nationalcaps1 = 72 |nationalgoals1 = 16
| manageryears1  = 1999–2004 |managerclubs1 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
| manageryears2  = 2004–2008 |managerclubs2 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| manageryears3  = 2008–2009 |managerclubs3 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| manageryears4  = 2010–2011 |managerclubs4 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| manageryears5  = 2012      |managerclubs5 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
| manageryears6  = 2013–2018 |managerclubs6 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| manageryears7  = 2018    |managerclubs7 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| manageryears8 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs8 = [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]]
| manageryears9 = 2025–
| managerclubs9 = [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]
}}
'''Leslie Mark Hughes''' (born 1 November 1963) is a Welsh [[association football|football]] coach and former player who is the head coach of {{English football updater|CarlislU}} club [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]].

During his playing career he usually operated as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] or [[midfielder]]. He had two spells at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], and also played for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], as well as the English clubs [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and finally [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. He made 72 appearances for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] scoring 16 goals. He won a host of winners' medals during his playing career, including two Premier League titles, four [[FA Cup]]s, three [[EFL Cup|League Cups]] and two [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]s. He also collected an FA Cup runners-up medal and a League Cup runners-up medal. Hughes was the first player to win the [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]] award twice, in 1989 and 1991, as well as having been the only person to have scored in the [[FA Community Shield]], League Cup final, and FA Cup final in the same season (1993–94). He retired from playing in 2002.

Hughes was appointed manager of Wales in 1999 and remained in the role until 2004. He failed to qualify for a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] or [[UEFA European Championship|European Championship]] during his five years in charge, although his reign coincided with a marked improvement in results. Wales came particularly close to securing [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|2004 European Championship qualification]]. Hughes then spent four years in charge of Blackburn, guiding them to sixth place in [[2005–06 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2005–06]]. He took charge of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in June 2008 for a year and a half before spending the [[2010–11 Fulham F.C. season|2010–11]] season at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]. He joined [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in January 2012, helping them retain their Premier League status in [[2011–12 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2011–12]]. Despite some high-profile signings in the summer of 2012, QPR began the [[2012–13 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2012–13]] season in very poor form, and Hughes was dismissed on 23 November 2012.<ref name=Guardian231112>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes sacked by QPR|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/23/mark-hughes-sacked-by-qpr|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 November 2012|date=23 November 2012}}</ref>

Hughes was appointed manager of [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 30 May 2013. He guided the club to three consecutive ninth-place Premier League finishes in [[2013–14 Stoke City F.C. season|2013–14]], [[2014–15 Stoke City F.C. season|2014–15]] and [[2015–16 Stoke City F.C. season|2015–16]]. Progress at Stoke stalled in the [[2016–17 Stoke City F.C. season|2016–17]] season, with the club finishing 13th in the table. Following a poor start to the [[2017–18 Stoke City F.C. season|2017–18]] season, with the club in the relegation zone heading into the new year, he was dismissed by Stoke on 6 January 2018, hours after an FA Cup third round exit to [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]].<ref name="SSACK">{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: Stoke City sack manager after poor run|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42332958|website=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2018 |access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref> He was appointed manager of Southampton on 14 March 2018, signing a contract until the end of the season, with Southampton one point above his former club Stoke in 17th place at the time of his appointment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43403577|title=Mark Hughes: Southampton appoint former Stoke manager until end of season|work=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2018 | access-date = 15 March 2018}}</ref> He guided the club to safety at the end of the [[2017–18 Southampton F.C. season|2017–18]] season, but was dismissed in December 2018 with the club at 18th in the table.<ref name = BBC46091577/>

==Club career==
===Manchester United===
Born in [[Ruabon]], [[Wrexham]],<ref name=Hugman/> Hughes joined [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] after leaving school in the summer of 1980, having been spotted by the team's North Wales talent scout Hugh Roberts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4924264.stm |title=Old Trafford scout Roberts dies |work=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2006 |access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> However, he did not make his first team debut for three years&nbsp;– scoring in a 1–1 draw away to [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]], in the [[1983–84 in English football|1983–84]] season.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

When Hughes made his United debut, the club's forward partnership consisted of 27-year-old [[Republic of Ireland|Irishman]] [[Frank Stapleton]] and 18-year-old [[Norman Whiteside]] from Northern Ireland, and breaking up that partnership would not be an easy challenge for Hughes. But Hughes quickly broke into the first team, partnering Frank Stapleton in attack while [[Norman Whiteside]] was switched to midfield to partner [[Ray Wilkins]] and stand in for the injury prone [[Remi Moses]]. The departure of Wilkins to [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] at the end of the season saw manager [[Ron Atkinson]] decide to stick to using Whiteside in the centre of midfield, enabling Hughes to keep his place in the first team ahead of new signing [[Alan Brazil]], and he was rewarded handsomely as he scored 25 goals in 55 matches across all competitions as United achieved an FA Cup final victory over [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]. They also finished fourth in the league.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

Hughes managed a further 18 goals in the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86 season]], where they led until February having won their first ten league matches of the season, before a dismal second half of the season saw them slip into fourth place in the final table. That season saw him score 17 goals in the [[Football League First Division]] – it would remain the highest goals tally in a league season throughout his career.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

===Barcelona===
In the summer of 1986, Hughes was sold to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] for £2&nbsp;million. United announced on 21 March 1986 that Hughes would be heading for Spain at the end of the season, but the transfer had been agreed many weeks earlier.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

Manager [[Terry Venables]] signed Hughes at the same time that he signed [[Gary Lineker]] from Everton to form a new strike partnership at the [[Camp Nou]], but Hughes was a disappointment in his only season at Barcelona, scoring only 5 times in 37 games, whereas Lineker proved a success in three seasons at the club, scoring 51 in 138 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jugadors |first=F. C. B. |title=Leslie Mark Hughes stats {{!}} FC Barcelona Players |url=https://players.fcbarcelona.com/en/player/400-hughes-leslie-mark-hughes |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=FCB Jugadors |language=en}}</ref>

====Loan to Bayern Munich====
He was subsequently loaned out to West German club [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] for the 1987–88 season, where he regained his form. On 11 November 1987, he played two competitive matches in one day, first for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] in [[Prague]] in a [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying Group 6|Euro 1988 qualifier]], and second, after being flown across the border into [[West Germany]], appearing as a substitute for Bayern in their win over [[Borussia Mönchengladbach]] in a [[1987–88 DFB-Pokal#2nd round|DFB-Pokal second round replay]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sparky+Czech-ed+out+Prague+and+Germany.-a0149442787 |title=Sparky Czech-ed out Prague and Germany |first=Ian |last=Carbis |work=South Wales Echo |access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aled |title=Bayern Munich and Wales: Mark Hughes' two games in two countries in a day |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46097218 |publisher=BBC Wales Sport |access-date=6 November 2018 |date=5 November 2018}}</ref>

===Return to Manchester United===
[[File:Mark Hughes juli 1991.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Hughes with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 1991.]]
In May 1988, Hughes returned to Manchester United, managed by [[Alex Ferguson]], for a then club record fee of £1.8&nbsp;million. As he had done in his first spell at [[Old Trafford]], Hughes proved to be a dynamic goalscorer and was a key player for the club over the next seven years. Alex Ferguson had been keen on re-signing Hughes for United soon after becoming manager in November 1986, but Hughes would have been liable for taxation on money earned playing overseas if he had returned to England before April 1988.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

In [[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]], his first season back in England, United disappointed in the league and finished 11th after an erratic season. They had gone ten league matches without a win in the autumn but then went on a strong run after the turn of the new year to lift them to third place, only for a late season collapse to drag them down to mid-table. Hughes was voted [[PFA Player of the Year]], the first Manchester United player to be credited with that award, in its 16th season. He was also United's joint top scorer that season, along with [[Brian McClair]], on 16 goals.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

A year later, Hughes scored twice as United drew 3–3 with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in the [[1990 FA Cup final]], before a [[Lee Martin (footballer, born February 1968)|Lee Martin]] goal in the replay gave United their first major trophy in five years. He was United's top goalscorer that season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions; 13 of his goals had come in the league, where United finished a disappointing 13th. He scored his third United hat-trick in a September clash against [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in the league at Old Trafford, which United won 5–1.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

The following season, Hughes scored both goals against former club Barcelona as United lifted the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]], winning the [[1991 European Cup Winners' Cup final|final]] 2–1 in [[Rotterdam]]. Once again, he was their top scorer, this time with 21 goals in all competitions, although his tally in the league was bettered by Brian McClair and [[Steve Bruce]]. They also reached the [[1991 Football League Cup final|Football League Cup final]] that year, but United suffered a shock 1–0 defeat to a [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] side managed by [[Ron Atkinson]], who had been Hughes's manager in his first spell at Old Trafford. Hughes was also voted [[PFA Player of the Year]] again this season. The [[1991–92 Manchester United F.C. season|1990–91]] season also saw Hughes score the last of his four hat-tricks for United, in a League Cup quarter-final replay against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] at Old Trafford, which United won 3–2. In [[1991–92 Manchester United F.C. season|1991–92]], Hughes suffered the disappointment of missing out on a league title medal as United were pipped to the title by [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], but had some compensation in the form of a League Cup winner's medal. He found the net 11 times in the league and 14 times in all competitions.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

For much of the 1991–92 season, United had been linked with a move for the Southampton striker [[Alan Shearer]], but the player chose to stay at the [[South Coast of England|South Coast]] club until the season's end before making a decision about his future, before deciding to sign for [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. Sir Alex Ferguson remained intent on signing a new striker for United that summer, although it was far from clear whether it was Hughes or his strike-partner Brian McClair who would lose his place in the first team or be switched to another position in order to accommodate a new signing. Ferguson's hunt for a new striker ended with the acquisition of [[Dion Dublin]], although Dublin was injured after playing just a few matches for the club, and it was not long before United were in the hunt for another new striker, as a lack of goals were seeing them slip behind in the title race. [[Eric Cantona]] was eventually signed at the end of November, which prompted interest from [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] manager [[Kevin Keegan]], who had first asked Ferguson about Hughes's availability that summer. Ferguson, however, insisted that Hughes was not for sale, and he remained a regular choice in the first team, playing alongside Cantona while McClair was mostly selected in central midfield from then on.<ref>{{cite web|title=Football: United spurn Keegan's pursuit of Hughes|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-spurn-keegans-pursuit-of-hughes-1560908.html|website=The Independent|date=December 1992 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

In May 1993, Hughes finally collected an English league title medal as United won the first-ever [[Premier League]] title; Hughes was United's top scorer with 15 goals in the league and a further goal in the League Cup. From December, he mostly played alongside new signing Eric Cantona in attack, with Brian McClair being switched to the centre of midfield. Hughes collected yet more silverware in 1994 as United won the league title as well as the [[FA Cup]], with Hughes scoring in the final. He also scored Manchester United's consolation goal in their 3–1 defeat in the 1994 League Cup Final at the hands of [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] at Wembley in that season. In so doing, he became only the second player (after [[Norman Whiteside]] in 1983) to score in the finals of both the domestic cups in the same season. This has since been achieved a third time by [[Didier Drogba]] in 2007. His partnership with Cantona in attack also went from strength to strength, as he found the net 22 times in all competitions as Cantona scored a further 25.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

In December 1994, with United second to Blackburn in the race for the league title, media reports were linking United with the signature of several highly rated strikers including [[Andy Cole]] and [[Stan Collymore]], and there had already been some impressive performances in the first team from 20-year-old striker [[Paul Scholes]]. Hughes was now widely tipped to be the player most likely to lose his place to any new signing in the forward positions, and when United completed the £7&nbsp;million signing of Cole on 10 January 1995, it was almost immediately reported that new [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] manager [[Joe Royle]] was tabling a £2.5&nbsp;million bid for Hughes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hughes expected to give way to £16m Cole|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hughes-expected-to-give-way-to-1637m-cole-1567583.html|website=The Independent|date=11 January 1995 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

Four days later, however, Hughes suffered a knee injury early in a match against Newcastle, colliding with opposition goalkeeper [[Pavel Srníček]] as he scored a goal. The injury was initially feared to be cruciate knee ligament damage, which would inevitably have put him out of action for at least the rest of the season, but it was instead revealed to be a serious gash, and he was back in action within a month, during which time United were left without the services of Eric Cantona, who attacked a [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] fan and was subsequently banned for eight months.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hughes injury blow to United|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hughes-injury-blow-to-united-1568312.html|website=The Independent|date=16 January 1995 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref> Hughes now found himself with his first team place still looking secure, at least in the short term, and in partnership with Andy Cole. He even signed a new two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Main man of United|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/profile-main-man-of-united-1610783.html|website=The Independent|date=10 March 1995 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

Hughes came close to winning both the Premier League and FA Cup again in 1995, but a failure to beat [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] on the final day of the season and the inability to score an equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup final a week later condemned United to their first trophyless season in six years. The FA Cup final was his last match in a United shirt. Hughes scored eight league goals in 1994–95 (two of them in the 9–0 defeat of [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] at Old Trafford on 4 March 1995) and managed a total of 12 in all competitions (two in the FA Cup and another two in the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]). During two spells at the club, he had found the net a total of 163 times (116 of his goals coming during his second spell). Perhaps the most memorable of those goals came in April 1994, when he scored a spectacular equaliser in the final minute of extra time in the FA Cup semi-final against [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] at Wembley.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

By the time of his departure from Manchester United, he was the last player at the club to have been there before the appointment of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager in November 1986,{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} albeit having left for Barcelona before Ferguson was hired and then returning two years into his stint as manager.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Hughes at Manchester United's official player page |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/mark-hughes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Ferguson timeline at ESPN | date=30 May 2014 |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37377281/sir-alex-ferguson-line-manchester-united%3fplatform=amp}}</ref>

===Chelsea===
Hughes left Old Trafford for the second and final time in June 1995 when he was sold to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] for £1&nbsp;million, in a summer that also saw the departures of players such as [[Paul Ince]] (to [[Inter Milan]]) and [[Andrei Kanchelskis]] (to Everton). Hughes scored a consolation goal for Chelsea in the home Premier League fixture against Manchester United in [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]]; a 4–1 win for United at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] in October.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chelsea 1 Manchester United 4 |url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/chelsea-v-manchester-united-21-october-1995-22264/|website=11v11.com|access-date=16 March 2017|date=21 October 1995}}</ref> He was on the losing side again as United beat Chelsea 2–1 in the FA Cup semi-final that season, less than two years after he had scored one of United's goals in their FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1|url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-chelsea-31-march-1996-217209/|website=11v11.com|access-date=16 March 2017|date=31 March 1996}}</ref>

Hughes was one of the key players in Chelsea's resurgence as a top club in the late 1990s, forming a potent strike partnership with [[Gianfranco Zola]] and helping to freeze out [[Gianluca Vialli]] (who became the club's player-manager in February 1998). He put in match-winning performances against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] in the FA Cup in 1997, and [[Vicenza Calcio|Vicenza]] in the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]] a year later, playing a big part in Chelsea's glory in both of these competitions. In winning the FA Cup, he became the only player in the 20th century to win the trophy four times. He ended his Chelsea career with 39 goals from 123 matches and was transferred to Southampton for £650,000 in July 1998.<ref name="Sou"/>

===Southampton===
In July 1998, Hughes was signed by Southampton for a fee of £650,000<ref name="Sou">{{cite news |title=Hughes signs for Saints |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/130230.stm |work=BBC News |date=11 July 1998 |access-date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> by manager [[Dave Jones (football manager)|Dave Jones]], as an alternative to injury-plagued [[David Hirst (footballer)|David Hirst]],<ref name="ITN">{{cite book |title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |last1=Holley |first1=Duncan |last2=Chalk |first2=Gary |publisher=Hagiology |year=2003 |isbn=0-9534474-3-X |pages=529–530 }}</ref> who retired within 18 months of Hughes's arrival. The goals failed to flow and Hughes was pushed back into midfield, where his experience helped Southampton maintain their Premier League status.<ref name="ITN"/>

His two goals for Southampton came against Blackburn Rovers, who he was later to join, and a "memorable volley" at home to Newcastle on 15 August 1999.<ref name="ITN"/> Hughes had disciplinary problems throughout his career, and in [[1998–99 in English football|his first season]] at [[The Dell (Southampton)|The Dell]] he received 14 yellow cards, a total which has not been exceeded in the Premier League {{as of|2022|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics/0,,12306,00.html |title=Official Site of the Premier League&nbsp;– Barclays Premier League News, Fixtures and Results &#124; Statistics |publisher=Premier League |access-date=20 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230130252/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics/0,,12306,00.html |archive-date=30 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/stats/records |access-date=3 December 2022|title=Premier League Records |publisher=Premierleague.com}}</ref>

===Everton===
When [[Glenn Hoddle]] arrived as Southampton's manager in January 2000, Hughes did not fit into his plans and he left for Everton in March 2000. He played 16 times over the course of seven months for Everton,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes|url=http://www.evertonfc.com/players/m/mh/mark-hughes|website=Everton|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref> scoring his only goal against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Moore's double as Hughes stars |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/697991.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2000 |access-date=17 October 2025}}</ref>

===Blackburn Rovers===
Hughes left Goodison Park on a free transfer for Blackburn Rovers in October 2000, moving outside the top division for the first time in his playing career in [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]]. He played a key role in getting Blackburn promoted from Division One in 2001. He also lifted the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] with Blackburn in February 2002,<ref>{{cite news |title=Cole strike stuns Spurs |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/worthington_cup/1834988.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2002 |access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref> before finally hanging up his boots in July 2002 a few months short of his 39th birthday.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/wales/2577591.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2002|access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref>

Hughes's final career goal came in a 2–1 Premier League defeat to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] on 30 March 2002. At the time, he was the second oldest player to score in the Premier League, behind [[Stuart Pearce]].

==International career==
Hughes scored just 17 minutes into his [[Wales national football team|Wales]] debut, scoring the winning goal against [[England national football team|England]] on 2 May 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesw/wal-intres80.html |title=Wales – International Results 1980–1989 – Details |date=20 May 2004 |access-date=2 June 2013 |first=Barrie |website=[[RSSSF]] |last=Courtney}}</ref> He went on to play 72 times for his country, scoring 16 times.<ref name=nf/>

==Managerial career==

===Wales===
Hughes was appointed as head coach of the Wales national team in 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonsoccer.co.uk/news0899.htm |title=Latest news&nbsp;– August 1999 |website=Dragonsoccer.co.uk |access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> while still playing elite club football for a few more seasons. Initially appointed on a temporary basis alongside [[Neville Southall]] to replace [[Bobby Gould]], Hughes had soon done enough to earn himself a long-term contract, with Southall eventually leaving the set-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/England_vWales_HughesProfile.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050406192228/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/England_vWales_HughesProfile.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2005 |title=On familiar ground |website=TheFA.com |date=7 October 2004 |access-date=2 June 2013 |first=Dean |last=Jones}}</ref> When he took over, Wales were going through a bad patch but in the five years with Hughes in charge, Wales came close to qualifying for [[UEFA Euro 2004]]. In their [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 9|Euro 2004 qualifying group]], Wales ended up second, beating [[Italy national football team|Italy]] 2–1 in [[Cardiff]] in the process, but was denied a place in the final tournament after losing to [[Russia national football team|Russia]] in the [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying play-offs|playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia break Welsh hearts|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/3275199.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=19 November 2003 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

===Blackburn Rovers===
Hughes quit the Welsh national side in September 2004 to take charge of Blackburn in the FA Premier League, the last club he had played for.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Walsh |title=Hughes leaves a void |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_of_wales/3661852.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2004 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> His key aim was to keep Blackburn clear of relegation, which he succeeded in doing, while also taking the club to an FA Cup semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arsenal 3–0 Blackburn |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4427433.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2006 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref>

In his second season, he helped Blackburn finish inside the top six of the Premier League and subsequently qualify for the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]], beating teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United (twice) and Arsenal en route. After just missing out on the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] final, his team sealed their spot in Europe by defeating champions Chelsea 1–0 at home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blackburn 1–0 Chelsea |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4957422.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2006 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> On 4 May 2006, Hughes and assistant [[Mark Bowen (footballer)|Mark Bowen]] signed new three-year contracts to remain at Blackburn until the summer of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hughes signs new Blackburn deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7108934.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2007 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref>

Hughes then set about creating a formidable side at Ewood Park. He entered the transfer market, bringing in players such as [[Benni McCarthy]] (£2&nbsp;million), [[David Bentley]] (£500,000), [[Ryan Nelsen]] (free), [[Stephen Warnock]] (£1.5&nbsp;million), [[Roque Santa Cruz]] (£3.5&nbsp;million), and [[Christopher Samba]] (£400,000). Rovers finished tenth in the Premier League in 2006–07, and reached the [[2006–07 UEFA Cup knockout stage#Round of 32|UEFA Cup round of 32]], where they were knocked out by [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]] 3–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hughes |title=Bayer Leverkusen 3–2 Blackburn |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6351715.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2007 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> Rovers faced Chelsea in the [[FA Cup 2006-07#Semi-finals|FA Cup semi-final]], their third consecutive semi-final since Hughes took charge. The match ended in defeat, 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=McCarra |title=Ballack's late strike hauls Chelsea to final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/16/match.blackburn |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 April 2007 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> He won the [[Premier League Manager of the Month]] award for October 2007,<ref>{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Neild|title=Hughes wins manager of month award|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1823329.hughes_wins_manager_of_month_award/ |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newsquest (North West) |date=10 November 2007 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> and eventually led Blackburn to a league finish of seventh in 2007–08, Hughes's final season in charge at Ewood Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007/08 Barclays Premier League|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/history/season-2007-08.html|website=Premier League|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526225451/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/history/season-2007-08.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During his spell in charge of Blackburn, Hughes's side was accused of being "over-physical" and "dirty" on multiple occasions<ref>{{cite news |title=Wenger condemns Rovers' tactics |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4448927.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Kay |title=Respect, but no friendship between Mark Hughes and Sir Alex Ferguson |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/respect-but-no-friendship-between-mark-hughes-and-sir-alex-ferguson-kb5qq8wbkj9 |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |location=London |date=29 November 2008 |access-date=25 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Ive |title=Downes: Who says Blackburn are a dirty side |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/downes-who-says-blackburn-dirty-4254689 |work=Bracknell Forest Standard |publisher=S&B Media |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=31 December 2013 }}</ref> and the club finished bottom of the Premier League disciplinary table in all four of Hughes's seasons in charge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier League Statistics |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics |work=Premier League |access-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127233054/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics |archive-date=27 November 2011}}</ref>

===Manchester City===
On 2 June 2008, [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] sacked manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Eriksson leaves Manchester City |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7430827.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> Interest was also reported from Chelsea, however, who had recently sacked their manager, [[Avram Grant]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Sandy |last=MacAskill |title=Mark Hughes gives Chelsea 48 hours to make an approach before he decides on Man City|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2302268/Mark-Hughes-gives-Chelsea-48-hours-to-make-an-approach-before-he-decides-on-Man-City.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222011005/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2302268/Mark-Hughes-gives-Chelsea-48-hours-to-make-an-approach-before-he-decides-on-Man-City.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=3 June 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> Blackburn confirmed on 2 June that they had agreed to allow Hughes to talk to City.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Davies|title=Reluctant Blackburn clear Hughes's path to City |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jun/02/premierleague.manchestercity1|work=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> The following day, Blackburn agreed to a then-[[Transfer (association football)#Managers|world record]] compensation package for Hughes to take over as manager of Manchester City, and he was appointed as head coach on 4 June 2008 on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7431155.stm|title=Hughes becomes Man City manager |first=Phil |last=McNulty |work=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2008 |access-date=4 June 2008}}</ref>

Following the appointment, Manchester City's executive chairman [[Garry Cook (CEO)|Garry Cook]] stated, "The Club intends to invest in new players as well as securing the long term services of key members of the current first team squad. Mark has already identified some of the players and backroom staff that he wants to see here at City, and we will begin the process of recruiting them immediately."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=6610904 |title=Manchester City appoint Mark Hughes |first=Tim |last=Oscroft |website=mcfc.co.uk |date=4 June 2008 |access-date=4 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605203848/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid=%7bDBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80%7d&newsid=6610904 |archive-date=5 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The players who did arrive were [[Jô]], [[Tal Ben Haim]], [[Vincent Kompany]], [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]] (returning from Chelsea) and [[Pablo Zabaleta]]. Hughes's first match in charge resulted in a 4–2 loss to Aston Villa at [[Villa Park]] but was followed up with 3–0 wins against West Ham and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunderland 0–3 Man City|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7578481.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2008 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

On 1 September 2008, Manchester City were taken over by the [[Abu Dhabi United]] investment group,<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Smith|title=Arabian business group to complete Manchester City takeover|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/arabian-business-group-to-complete-manchester-city-takeover-mjnmpllrh8v |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |location=London |date=1 September 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> who made large amounts of transfer funds available to Hughes, allowing City to break the British transfer record and sign [[Robinho]] from [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] for £32.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Ducker |title=Manchester City pounce with £34.2m deal for Robinho|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/manchester-city-pounce-with-pound342m-deal-for-robinho-pjdddmwz0t5 |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |location=London |date=2 September 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> Hughes was very active in the January 2009 transfer window, signing [[Wayne Bridge]] from Chelsea, [[Craig Bellamy]] from West Ham and [[Shay Given]] from Newcastle, as well as [[Nigel de Jong]] from [[Hamburger SV]]. City finished tenth in Hughes's first season with the club, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. City's home form was among the best in the League, but their away form was among the worst.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pellegrini's Man City in worst form since last days of Hughes tenure|url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/manchester-city/story/2385828/manuel-pellegrini-manchester-city-in-worst-form-since-last-days-of-hughes-tenure|website=ESPN|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

In the summer of 2009, Hughes added [[Gareth Barry]] from Aston Villa, Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn, and [[Emmanuel Adebayor]] and [[Kolo Touré]] from Arsenal to his squad, while [[Carlos Tevez]] also joined after his two-year deal with Manchester United expired. In addition, Hughes signed defenders [[Joleon Lescott]] from Everton for a reported £22&nbsp;million, and [[Sylvinho]] – a former Arsenal and double Champions League winner with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] – on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man City sign Brazilian Sylvinho|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8218964.stm |work=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2009 |access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref>

Hughes started the [[2009–10 Premier League]] campaign with a 2–0 away win at former club Blackburn,<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hughes|title=Blackburn 0–2 Manchester City |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8197359.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2009 |access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref> followed by a 1–0 win over another former club, Barcelona, in the [[Joan Gamper Trophy]] at a capacity [[Camp Nou]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2009/August/Barcelona-v-City|title=Barcelona 0 City 1 – News&nbsp;– Manchester City FC|website=mcfc.co.uk|publisher=Manchester City FC|access-date=20 September 2009|archive-date=16 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916033724/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2009/August/Barcelona-v-City|url-status=dead}}</ref> City then won 1–0 win over [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] at [[City of Manchester Stadium|Eastlands]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Man City 1–0 Wolves|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8210640.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2009 |access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref> followed by [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] 2–0 and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] 1–0 to maintain a 100% clean sheet start to the season.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam|last=Sheringham |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8205748.stm |title=Crystal Palace 0–2 Man City |work=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2009 |access-date=20 September 2009 }}</ref> City continued in good form, beating Arsenal 4–2 and West Ham 3–1 either side of [[Manchester United F.C. 4–3 Manchester City F.C. (2009)|a 4–3 derby day defeat]] to Manchester United. City would then, however, go on a run of seven-straight draws.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man Utd 4–3 Man City |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8256750.stm |work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=21 September 2009}}</ref>

Manchester City beat [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] 5–1 and Arsenal 3–0 in the League Cup to reach their first semi-final since 1981. Hughes then led City to their first victory over his former club Chelsea for five years with a 2–1 victory. That last victory was one of only two wins in 11 successive Premier League matches, and Hughes left City before their League Cup two-legged semi-final against Manchester United; he was sacked on 19 December 2009 and replaced by [[Roberto Mancini]].<ref name="Mark Hughes sacked as Man City appoint Mancini manager">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422676.stm |title=Mark Hughes sacked as Man City appoint Mancini manager |work=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref>

===Fulham===
On 29 July 2010, Hughes became the new manager of Fulham, following the departure of [[Roy Hodgson]] to Liverpool. Hughes agreed a two-year contract with the London side and was officially unveiled to the media on 3 August 2010, before his first match as manager on 7 August against [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]]. Hughes was joined at Fulham by his backroom team of [[Eddie Niedzwiecki]], Mark Bowen and [[Kevin Hitchcock]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes named new manager of Premier League Fulham |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8866133.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=29 July 2010 |access-date=29 July 2010 }}</ref> His first league match in charge of the Cottagers came exactly a week later, when they drew 0–0 at [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on the opening day of the Premier League season, followed by a resolute display against Manchester United in a 2–2 draw at [[Craven Cottage]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Les |last=Roopanarine|title=Bolton 0–0 Fulham |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8906326.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 }}</ref>

Draws followed in four of Fulham's next five Premier League matches against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], Blackburn Rovers, Everton and West Ham, with a solitary 2–1 home win over Wolves. This meant that at that stage – including the seven-draw streak at Manchester City before his dismissal the season before – all but two (86%) of Hughes's last fifteen Premiership matches had been drawn. The bizarre run, exclusively made up of draws or 2–1 results, continued with 2–1 defeats to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in the second half of October 2010. At the end of the [[2010–11 Fulham F.C. season|2010–11 season]], Hughes led Fulham to an eighth-placed finish in the league and UEFA Europa League qualification through the Fair Play league.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fulham gain Europa League spot through Fair Play league|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13492544|website=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2011 |access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>

Hughes resigned as manager of Fulham on 2 June 2011, having spent less than 11 months at the club. Following his departure, he said, "As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences."<ref name="Mark Hughes resigns as Fulham manager">{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes resigns as Fulham manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13628221 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref> Fulham owner [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]] hit back at Hughes for questioning the club's ambition, calling him a "strange man" and a "flop" and said he rescued him from becoming a forgotten man after being sacked by Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed hits back at 'flop' Mark Hughes|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15438924 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 October 2011 |access-date=17 December 2011 }}</ref> In September 2013, Hughes said he made a mistake in leaving Fulham when he did.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stoke City manager Mark Hughes admits walking away from Fulham was a mistake|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/10353588/Stoke-City-manager-Mark-Hughes-admits-walking-away-from-Fulham-was-a-mistake.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/10353588/Stoke-City-manager-Mark-Hughes-admits-walking-away-from-Fulham-was-a-mistake.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=3 October 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Queens Park Rangers===
On 10 January 2012, Hughes agreed terms with [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract as their new manager, replacing the recently sacked [[Neil Warnock]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes confirmed as new Queens Park Rangers manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16465289 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=10 January 2012 }}</ref> Hughes's first match in charge of QPR came on 15 January 2012, a 1–0 defeat away to Newcastle.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newcastle 1–0 QPR |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16459089 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2012|access-date=19 November 2012 }}</ref> Hughes's first win as QPR manager came on 17 January 2012, a 1–0 victory over [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] in a [[2011–12 FA Cup#Third round proper|FA Cup third round]] replay at [[Loftus Road]].<ref>{{cite news |title=QPR 1–0 MK Dons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16481536 |work=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> His first Premier League victory was on 21 January 2012, QPR beating [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] 3–1 at home.<ref>{{cite news |title=QPR 3–1 Wigan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16559527 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2012|access-date=19 November 2012 }}</ref>

In January 2012, Hughes brought in two defenders in [[Nedum Onuoha]] and [[Taye Taiwo]] and two strikers in [[Djibril Cissé]] and [[Bobby Zamora]].<ref>{{cite web|title=QPR complete the signing of striker Bobby Zamora from Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16811307|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=31 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nedum Onuoha signs for QPR from Manchester City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16631999|work=BBC Sport|date=19 January 2012|access-date=28 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Taye Taiwo vows to make impact at QPR|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16646855|work=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2012|access-date=28 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=QPR sign Lazio's Djibril Cisse on a two-and-a-half-year deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16783436|work=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2012|access-date=28 July 2013}}</ref> Cissé made an immediate impact scoring on his debut against Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Villa 2–2 QPR|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16714062|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=1 February 2012}}</ref> Defeats against Wolves, Blackburn and Fulham, however, prevented QPR from pulling themselves away from relegation trouble.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes remains confident QPR will avoid relegation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17168661|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=25 February 2012}}</ref> Victories over Liverpool, Arsenal, [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] and Tottenham meant that they went into the final match of the season two points ahead of Bolton.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: QPR survival more important than Man City revenge|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18040565|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=11 May 2012}}</ref> They faced Hughes's former club Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium, who needed a win to secure the Premier League title. Despite scoring twice through Cissé and [[Jamie Mackie]], two added time goals from [[Edin Džeko]] and [[Sergio Agüero]] earned City a dramatic [[Manchester City F.C. 3-2 Queens Park Rangers F.C.|victory]] and championship title.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manchester City 3–2 QPR |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17973148 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2012|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> Bolton's failure to beat Stoke, however, meant that QPR avoided relegation to the Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=QPR manager Mark Hughes 'will not face drop again'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18053404|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=13 May 2012}}</ref>

In the summer of 2012, QPR brought in a large number of high-profile signings with the intent of establishing themselves as a Premier League club. In came [[Ryan Nelsen]], [[Andrew Johnson (footballer, born 1981)|Andrew Johnson]], [[Robert Green]], [[Samba Diakité]], [[Fabio (footballer, born 1990)|Fabio]], [[Park Ji-sung]] and [[Junior Hoilett]] all before the start of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier League 2012–13 season: Club-by-club guide|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18857152|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=17 August 2012}}</ref> Rangers' new-look squad, however, got off to an awful start as they crashed to a 5–0 home defeat against Swansea on the opening day of the [[2012–13 Premier League]] season.<ref>{{cite web|title=QPR 0–5 Swansea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221292|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=18 August 2012}}</ref> Hughes branded his players performance as "embarrassing".<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes embarrassed at QPR defeat by Swansea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19308391|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 July 2013|date=18 August 2012}}</ref> Hughes then signed [[José Bosingwa]], [[Júlio César (football goalkeeper, born 1979)|Júlio César]] and [[Esteban Granero]] but saw no improvement in results, going 12 matches without victory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes backed by Tony Fernandes despite QPR's poor start |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/02/mark-hughes-tony-fernandes-qpr |work=The Guardian |date=2 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 }}</ref> He was sacked as manager on 23 November 2012 after the team suffered a 3–1 home defeat to Southampton six days earlier and replaced by [[Harry Redknapp]].<ref name=Guardian231112/><ref>{{cite news|title=Mark Hughes sacked as Queens Park Rangers manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20386628|work=BBC Sport|access-date=23 November 2012|date=23 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/9698309/Queens-Park-Rangers-sack-manager-Mark-Hughes-appoint-Harry-Redknapp.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/9698309/Queens-Park-Rangers-sack-manager-Mark-Hughes-appoint-Harry-Redknapp.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Queens Park Rangers sack manager Mark Hughes appoint Harry Redknapp|date=23 November 2012|work=Daily Telegraph UK|access-date=23 November 2012 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Stoke City===

====2013–14====
Hughes was appointed manager of Stoke City on 30 May 2013, signing a three-year contract after taking over from fellow Welshman [[Tony Pulis]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: Stoke City appoint former QPR manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22686204|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Three-year deal for Mark Hughes as new Stoke City era begins|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-19131617-detail/story.html#axzz2Ufc641kI|work=The Sentinel|access-date=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227192513/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/year-deal-Mark-Hughes-new-Stoke-City-era-begins/story-19131617-detail/story.html#axzz2Ufc641kI|url-status=dead}}</ref> Speaking after being announced as Stoke's new manager, Hughes admitted that he had a point to prove following his disappointing spell at QPR.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes at Stoke: QPR criticism will motivate me|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22715923|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2013|date=30 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: New Stoke manager facing several big challenges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22722726|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 May 2013|date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Hughes's first task was to release [[Rory Delap]], [[Mamady Sidibe]], [[Matthew Upson]], [[Dean Whitehead]], [[Carlo Nash]] and [[Matty Lund]], at the same time giving [[Jermaine Pennant]] a new contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Potters Announce Retained List|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/potters-announce-retained-list-856356.aspx|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Deal For Pennant|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/pennant-contract-871588.aspx|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=18 June 2013}}</ref> He made his first signing on 28 June 2013 in Dutch international left-back [[Erik Pieters]] from [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] for a fee of €3.6&nbsp;million (£3&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web|title=Pieters A Potter|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/pieters-a-potter-886234.aspx|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke City sign Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven for £3m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23108102|work=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2013 |access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref> Hughes's first match in charge of Stoke on 17 August 2013 ended in a 1–0 defeat at Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liverpool 1–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23653990|work=BBC Sport|date=15 August 2013 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> Hughes's first win as Stoke manager came in his next match as Stoke beat Crystal Palace 2–1 at the [[Britannia Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 Crystal Palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23736812|work=BBC Sport|date=23 August 2013 |access-date=31 August 2013}}</ref> This was followed up by a 1–0 win away at West Ham.<ref>{{cite web|title=West Ham 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23822679|work=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2013 |access-date=24 September 2013}}</ref> On 2 September 2013, transfer deadline day, Hughes brought in Austrian forward [[Marko Arnautović]] from Werder Bremen and [[Stephen Ireland]] on loan from Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transfer deadline day: Marko Arnautovic signs for Stoke City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23925792|work=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2013 |access-date=24 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland joins Stoke on loan|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8903403?|work=Sky Sports|access-date=24 September 2013}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Michael Kightly]], [[Cameron Jerome]] and [[Ryan Shotton]] all departed the club on long-term loans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23939663|title=Wigan: Stoke defender Ryan Shotton joins on loan deal|work=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2013|access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace sign Stoke striker Cameron Jerome on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23939888|work=BBC Sport|date=3 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke winger Michael Kightly in Burnley loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23938853|work=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013}}</ref>

Stoke soon lost their early form, however, and went through September and October without a Premier League win, picking up just two points and scoring only three goals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes denies he is still searching for his best team|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/story-20028716-detail/story.html?|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=4 November 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Stoke improved in November and December, going a run of one defeat in seven matches, including a 3–2 win over Chelsea on 7 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 3–2 Chelsea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25164178|work=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> December ended badly for Stoke and Hughes, however, as they were on the receiving end of a 5–1 defeat at Newcastle in which Stoke were reduced to nine men and Hughes himself was sent off.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: Stoke City manager charged by FA|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25529087|work=BBC Sport|date=27 December 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> Stoke went through January 2014 in poor form and managed to pick up just a point and a 1–0 defeat at Sunderland on 29 January, leaving the club just above the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunderland 1–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25838328|work=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2014 |access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> The one piece of transfer activity Hughes did was to swap [[Kenwyne Jones]] for [[Peter Odemwingie]] in a player-exchange deal with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Peter Odemwingie joins Stoke as Kenwyne Jones signs for Cardiff|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25931648|work=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2014 |access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> The arrival of Odemwingie enabled Hughes to alter his tactics and formation and it immediately paid off with a 2–1 victory over Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 Man United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25892829|work=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> Stoke's form continued to improve and they went through March unbeaten with wins over Arsenal, West Ham, Aston Villa and [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]. Stoke proceeded to end the season strongly with wins over Newcastle, Fulham and a 2–1 win against West Brom on the final day of the season, which saw Stoke finish in ninth position, their best finish since [[1974–75 Stoke City F.C. season|1974–75]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes declares 'Mission Accomplished' as Potters hit 50-point mark|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-declares-Mission/story-21084735-detail/story.html|work=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224656/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Mark-Hughes-declares-Mission/story-21084735-detail/story.html|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>

====2014–15====
For the [[2014–15 Stoke City F.C. season|2014–15]] season, Hughes signed Sunderland full-back [[Phil Bardsley]], Fulham midfielder [[Steve Sidwell]] and Senegalese striker [[Mame Biram Diouf]] on free transfers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke sign Phil Bardsley from Sunderland on three-year deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27529040|website=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Steve Sidwell: Stoke City sign former Fulham midfielder|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27769534|website=BBC Sport|date=9 June 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref> Also arriving for small fees were Slovakian defender [[Dionatan Teixeira]] and Barcelona forward [[Bojan Krkić|Bojan]], while wingers [[Victor Moses]] and [[Oussama Assaidi]] joined on season-long loans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke complete signings of Mame Biram Diouf and Dionatan Teixeira|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27801520|website=BBC Sport|date=11 June 2014 |access-date=11 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bojan Krkic: Stoke sign Barcelona forward on four-year deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28430289|website=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Victor Moses: Chelsea winger joins Stoke on season-long loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28818575|website=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2014 |access-date=16 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Transfer deadline day: Stoke sign Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29020948|website=BBC Sport|date=September 2014 |access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> Departing were [[Matthew Etherington]], [[Michael Kightly]], Cameron Jerome and Ryan Shotton.<ref>{{cite web|title=Potters Retained List|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/potters-retained-list-1570985.aspx|work=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Kightly joins Premier League new boys Burnley|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Michael-Kightly-joins-Premier-League/story-21299430-detail/story.html?|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=27 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630040547/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Michael-Kightly-joins-Premier-League/story-21299430-detail/story.html|archive-date=30 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Norwich City sign Carlos Cuellar and Cameron Jerome|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28869774|website=BBC Sport|date=20 August 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ryan Shotton: Derby County sign Stoke City defender on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28929037|website=BBC Sport|date=25 August 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref> Stoke had a mixed start to the 2014–15 season, losing 1–0 to Aston Villa on the opening day, drawing 1–1 with ten-men Hull City, yet defeating reigning Premier League champions Manchester City 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man City 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28907276|website=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref> Stoke's inconsistency continued through the autumn as Stoke managed just three wins beating Newcastle, Swansea and Tottenham.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 1–0 Newcastle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29305924|website=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 Swansea|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29586592|website=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tottenham 1–2 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29868773|website=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> The club then suffered frustrating home defeats against newly promoted [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 0–1 Leicester|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29090535|website=BBC Sport|date=12 September 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 1–2 Burnley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30065845|website=BBC Sport|date=21 November 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> Stoke found form in December beating Arsenal 3–2, Everton 1–0 and West Brom 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 3–2 Arsenal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30257121|website=BBC Sport|date=5 December 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Everton 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30544231|website=BBC Sport|date=24 December 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–0 West Brom|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30566675|website=BBC Sport|date=27 December 2014 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

In January 2015, Hughes began talks with the Stoke board of directors about extending his contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mark Hughes: Stoke City plan contract talks with manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31068604|website=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2015 |access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref> Hughes's only new arrival in January was that of German centre back [[Philipp Wollscheid]] from [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke sign German international Philipp Wollscheid on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30716936|website=BBC Sport|date=7 January 2015 |access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref> Stoke suffered a number in injuries to key players in January and February, most notably to Shawcross and Bojan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bojan Krkic: Stoke striker ruled out for season with knee injury|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31006307|website=BBC Sport|date=27 January 2015 |access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> In February, Stoke suffered back to back 4–1 defeats against Manchester City and then in the FA Cup against Blackburn.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blackburn 4–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31423138|website=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2015 |access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref> Hughes signed a new contract with Stoke in March 2015 to keep him contracted until the summer of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: Hughes Predicts Bright Times Ahead|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/exclusive-hughes-predicts-bright-times-ahead-2361825.aspx|website=Stoke City|access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> City then went a run of three wins against Aston Villa, Hull and Everton and then three defeats against West Brom, Crystal Palace and Chelsea. Stoke ended the season strongly with victories over Southampton (2–1), Tottenham (3–0) and Liverpool (6–1), ensuring a second consecutive ninth-place finish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32262295|website=BBC Sport|date=17 April 2015 |access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 3–0 Tottenham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32561784|website=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2015 |access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="6–1">{{cite web|title=Stoke 6–1 Liverpool|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32770765|website=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2015 |access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>

====2015–16====
Hughes made a number of alterations to his squad in preparation for the [[2015–16 Stoke City F.C. season|2015–16 campaign]]. Leaving the club were the long-serving trio of [[Asmir Begović]], [[Robert Huth]] and [[Steven Nzonzi]], with Stoke receiving their record transfer fee in the process.<ref name="Huth">{{cite web|title=Robert Huth: Leicester sign ex-Germany defender from Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33259554|website=BBC Sport|date=24 June 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nzonzi Seals Sevilla Switch |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/nzonzi-seals-sevilla-switch-2536210.aspx |website=stokecityfc.com |publisher=Stoke City FC |date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Asmir Begovic: Chelsea sign goalkeeper from Stoke City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33270636|website=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2015 |access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> With the money available, Hughes broke Stoke's transfer record by paying [[Inter Milan]] £12&nbsp;million for Swiss winger [[Xherdan Shaqiri]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shaqiri Signs in Club Record Deal|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/shaqiri-signs-in-club-record-deal-2611120.aspx|website=Stoke City|access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref> Hughes also brought in Spanish striker [[Joselu]] for £5.75&nbsp;million, Dutch midfielder [[Ibrahim Afellay]], [[Shay Given]], [[Jakob Haugaard]], [[Glen Johnson (English footballer)|Glen Johnson]] and [[Marco van Ginkel]].<ref name="Joselu">{{cite web|title=Joselu: Stoke City complete £5.75m signing of Hannover striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33154055|website=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Stoke Swoop For Afellay |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/club-confirm-ibrahim-afellay-signing-2575152.aspx |website=stokecityfc.com |publisher=Stoke City FC |date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=It's A Given |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/stoke-city-shay-given-2539538.aspx |website=stokecityfc.com |publisher=Stoke City FC |date=10 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="JH">{{cite web|title=Jakob Haugaard: Stoke City sign Danish keeper on three-year deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32903391|website=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2015 |access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Johnson Joins Potters|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/johnson-joins-potters-2542327.aspx|website=Stoke City|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Van Ginkel moves to Stoke on loan |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/07/van-ginkel-moves-to-stoke-on-loan.html |access-date=10 July 2015 |website=chelseafc.com |publisher=Chelsea FC }}</ref> The club had a poor start to the season, failing to win any of their first six fixtures, losing three of them. Stoke recovered well, however, winning their next three matches against [[AFC Bournemouth]], Aston Villa and Swansea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 Bournemouth|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34299638|website=BBC Sport|date=25 September 2015 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aston Villa 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34366599|website=BBC Sport|date=2 October 2015 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Swansea 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34502347|website=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2015 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> Stoke's improvement continued through November and December with victories against Premier League champions Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester City and Manchester United; the team's style of football was praised by the national press.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hess |first1=Alex |title=Stoke City show their remake as great entertainers is thrillingly under way|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/dec/07/stoke-city-hughes-manchester-city-bojan-shaqiri-arnautovic-affelay?|website=The Guardian|date=7 December 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref> Stoke ended 2015 with a dramatic 4–3 win away at Everton, while they also reached the semi-final of the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] after defeating [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]], Fulham, Chelsea and [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] en route.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–0 Sheff Wed|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34907303|website=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2015 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref>

Stoke started 2016 poorly, falling to West Brom and then Liverpool in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 0–1 Liverpool|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35155369|website=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> The club endured a tough final week of January as they lost 3–0 to both Leicester and Manchester United and were knocked out of the League Cup by Liverpool after losing on penalties, and were also ousted from the FA Cup by Crystal Palace.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leicester 3–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35331047|website=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Liverpool 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35349469|website=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crystal Palace 1–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35389007|website=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Man United 3–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35406688|website=BBC Sport|date=February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> In the January transfer window, Hughes let [[Steve Sidwell]] leave as well as cutting short Marco van Ginkel's loan, while he broke the club's transfer record he had set in the summer after signing French midfielder [[Giannelli Imbula]] from [[FC Porto|Porto]] for a fee of £18.3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transfer deadline day: Stoke City sign Giannelli Imbula from Porto|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35466315|website=BBC Sport|date=February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref> Stoke's form improved in February and March as they defeated Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Watford and earned a first Premier League draw at Chelsea.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chelsea 1–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35675904|website=BBC Sport|date=4 March 2016 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Following a season-ending injury to goalkeeper [[Jack Butland]] while on international duty, however, Stoke lost their defensive organisation:<ref>{{cite news|title=Jack Butland: England and Stoke keeper likely to miss Euro 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35906176|work=BBC Sport|access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> They let a 2–0 lead slip against Swansea to draw 2–2 and then went and conceded four goals in three successive matches, against Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man City 4–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36061069|website=BBC Sport|date=21 April 2016 |access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> Hughes's team were able to end the season on a positive as they beat West Ham 2–1 on the final day of the season, enough to secure a third-straight ninth-place finish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–1 West Ham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240338|website=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref>

====2016–17====
Hughes spent £18&nbsp;million in July 2016 to bring in Welsh midfielder [[Joe Allen (footballer, born 1990)|Joe Allen]] and Egyptian winger [[Ramadan Sobhi]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Allen: Liverpool midfielder completes move to Stoke City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/36850814|website=BBC Sport|date=20 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ramadan Sobhi: Stoke sign Egyptian winger from Al Ahly|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36885225|website=BBC Sport|date=25 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> while defender [[Bruno Martins Indi]] and striker [[Wilfried Bony]] both joined on season-long loans on 31 August 2016 from Porto and Manchester City respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wilfried Bony: Stoke City sign Man City striker on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37230375|website=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2016 |access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> Departing the club were Joselu, Philipp Wollscheid and long-serving defender [[Marc Wilson (Irish footballer)|Marc Wilson]], who left for Bournemouth after criticizing Hughes's defensive training on social media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marc Wilson facing the music after Mark Hughes criticism|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-marc-wilson-facing-the-music-after-mark-hughes-criticism/story-29593906-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=14 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814002642/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-marc-wilson-facing-the-music-after-mark-hughes-criticism/story-29593906-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> Stoke began the [[2016–17 Stoke City F.C. season|2016–17 season]] in poor form, drawing 1–1 away at [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], then losing 4–1 to Manchester City, 1–0 to Everton and 4–0 to Tottenham, and 4–1 to Crystal Palace with chairman [[Peter Coates]] heavily criticising the team's performances.<ref>{{cite web|title=We fell to pieces fumes chairman Peter Coates|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-we-fell-to-pieces-fumes-chairman-peter-coates/story-29707948-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=12 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913154854/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-we-fell-to-pieces-fumes-chairman-peter-coates/story-29707948-detail/story.html|archive-date=13 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Doyle |first1=Paul |title=Sick Stoke and Mark Hughes need to find cure for defensive woes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/sep/11/sick-stoke-mark-hughes-cure-defensive-woes?|work=The Guardian|date=11 September 2016 |access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> Results improved in October and November and by December Stoke had moved back into a mid-table position.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2–2 Burnley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38113851|website=BBC Sport|date=2 December 2016 |access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref> However, Stoke picked up just two points over the Christmas period and Hughes came under strong criticism from supporters after his side lost a 2–0 lead against 10-man Leicester City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke City 2, Leicester City 2 Match Comment: No excuses for sorry capitulation|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/stoke-city-2-leicester-city-2-match-comment-no-excuses-for-sorry-capitulation/story-29991845-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=31 May 2017}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In the January transfer window, Hughes brought in long term transfer target [[Saido Berahino]] from West Brom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saido Berahino: Stoke complete deal to sign West Brom's 23-year-old striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38696547|website=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref> Performances until the end of the season were underwhelming with six wins from 19, with Stoke securing their Premier League status with two matches remaining.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bournemouth 2–2 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39754031|website=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref> A 1–0 win against Southampton on the final day of the season, meant that Stoke ended the campaign in 13th place, their lowest finish under Hughes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southampton 0–1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39912023|website=BBC Sport|date=19 May 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Southampton 0, Stoke City 1: Fans remain behind us says boss Mark Hughes|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/southampton-0-stoke-city-1-mark-hughes/story-30342898-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|access-date=31 May 2017}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In September 2017, just after full time following a 2–2 draw with Manchester United, manager José Mourinho refused to shake hands with Hughes. Mourinho believed Hughes had told him to "f*ck off" during the game, and that Hughes had requested that a referee send him off for entering Stoke’s technical area. Mourinho declined Hughes's handshake post-match, making it an unusual public managerial snub.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Jamie |date=10 September 2017 |title=José Mourinho refuses Mark Hughes handshake in belief he was sworn at |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/10/jose-mourinho-mark-hughes-hand-shake-sworn-at-manchester-united-stoke-city |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

====2017–18====
Stoke made a poor start to the new season. Hughes came under intense scrutiny by supporters throughout the season, particularly after a 5–0 thumping by Chelsea, where Hughes rested several first team regulars to prepare for a home match against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]; Stoke also lost this game, resulting in calls for him to be sacked.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11701/11198557/stoke-city-have-sacked-manager-mark-hughes|title=Stoke City have sacked Mark Hughes|publisher=Sky Sports|date=6 January 2018}}</ref> By January, Stoke had won only 5 of 22 games, occupying a place in the relegation zone with 20 points. Stoke's run of poor form included a demoralising 3–0 home defeat to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], where former player [[Marko Arnautović]] scored and celebrated in front of the home fans after having been sold in the summer,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42290587|title=Stoke City 0–3 West Ham United|work=BBC Sport|date=16 December 2017}}</ref> as well as several heavy defeats to clubs challenging for the top six positions, including a 7–2 away defeat to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41534300|title=Manchester City 7–2 Stoke City|work=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2017}}</ref> and a 5–1 defeat to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42205608|title=Stoke City 1–5 Tottenham Hotspur|work=BBC Sport|date=9 December 2017}}</ref>

After a 2–1 defeat in the [[FA Cup]] to [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 6 January 2018, Hughes was sacked.<ref name="SSACK" /> Stoke had the worst defensive record in the Premier League at the time of his sacking, having conceded a total of 47 goals, nine more than West Ham who had the second-worst record. This was in spite of several defensive signings being made in the summer of 2017, including the £18 million signing of [[Kevin Wimmer]] from [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Kevin Wimmer: Stoke sign Tottenham defender for £18m |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41079784 |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2017}}</ref> the £7 million permanent signing of [[Bruno Martins Indi]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40899465|title=Bruno Martins Indi: Stoke City sign Dutch defender on five-year deal for £7m|work=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2017}}</ref> and the season-long loan of Chelsea defender [[Kurt Zouma]].<ref name="SSACK" />

===Southampton===
[[File:Maurizio Sarri Mark Hughes.jpg|thumb|Hughes (right) managing [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] in 2018]]
On 14 March 2018, Hughes succeeded [[Mauricio Pellegrino]] as manager of relegation-threatened Premier League club [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], signing a short-term contract for the remainder of the [[2017–18 Southampton F.C. season|2017–18 season]].<ref name=SouthamptonIn>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes: Southampton appoint former Stoke manager until end of season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43403577 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2018 |access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> His first game was a 2–0 win at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] in an FA Cup quarter final.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Paul|title=Mark Hughes starts Southampton reign in style with FA Cup win at Wigan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/18/wigan-athletic-southampton-fa-cup-quarter-final-match-report|access-date=18 March 2018|work=The Guardian|date=18 March 2018}}</ref> On 25 May 2018, after a season that saw the Saints retain their Premier League status, the club announced that Hughes had signed a new three-year contract. His assistants, [[Mark Bowen (footballer)|Mark Bowen]] and [[Eddie Niedzwiecki]], also signed long-term contracts with the club.<ref>{{cite news | title = Mark Hughes: Southampton boss signs new three-year contract | work = BBC Sport | date = 25 May 2018 | access-date = 26 May 2018 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44262585}}</ref>

Despite a number of positive signings in the summer transfer window, Southampton made a poor start to the [[2018–19 Southampton F.C. season|2018–19 season]] and on 2 December 2018, with the club 18th in the table, Hughes was dismissed.<ref name = BBC46091577>{{cite news |title=Mark Hughes: Southampton sack manager after eight months in charge |work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46091577}}</ref> He was replaced by former [[RB Leipzig]] boss [[Ralph Hasenhüttl]].

===Bradford City===
On 24 February 2022, Hughes was appointed manager of [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] on a deal until the summer of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2022/february/mark-hughes-unveiled-as-new-city-manager/|title=Mark Hughes unveiled as new City manager|website=bradfordcityfc.co.uk|access-date=24 February 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224101320/https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/february/mark-hughes-unveiled-as-new-city-manager/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was the first time he had managed a club outside the Premier League.

Hughes was nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for September 2022 after Bradford went unbeaten in four matches.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.efl.com/news/2022/october/sky-bet-league-two-manager-of-the-month-september-nominations/ | title = Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month: September nominations | website = efl.com | date = 4 October 2022 | access-date = 12 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.efl.com/news/2023/march/sky-bet-league-two-manager-and-player-of-the-month-nominees/ | title = Sky Bet League Two: Manager and Player of the Month nominees | website = efl.com | date = 7 March 2023 | access-date = 12 March 2023}}</ref>

On 4 October 2023, Hughes was sacked as manager with Bradford sitting 18th in [[EFL League Two|League Two]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2023 |title=Mark Hughes: Former Wales boss sacked as Bradford City manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67012337 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> It was felt by the Bradford City players that Hughes was trying to shoehorn Premier League tactics into the League Two side, and this ultimately contributed to the lack of success in his second season.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 October 2023|title=Bantams players go public with views on Mark Hughes' tactics |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/23857075.bantams-players-go-public-views-mark-hughes-tactics | access-date=22 October 2023 |work=Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>

=== Carlisle United ===
On 6 February 2025, Hughes was appointed head coach of League Two side [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2025 |title=Mark Hughes named as new Carlisle head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c87dq0y9p1do |access-date=6 February 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> Two days later, he lost his first game in charge, with Carlisle defeated 2–1 at [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Town Grimsby Town 2-1 Carlisle United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cly52rjkn2mt |access-date=8 February 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2025}}</ref> Carlisle were relegated with one game still to play at the end of the [[2024–25 Carlisle United F.C. season|2024–25 season]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c30q11y8qvzt |title=Cheltenham Town 3–2 Carlisle United |date=26 April 2025 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref> On 19 May 2025, it was confirmed that he would remain with the club for the [[2025–26 National League|2025–26 season]].<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/mark-hughes-extends-stay-brunton-park|title=MARK HUGHES EXTENDS STAY AT BRUNTON PARK|website=www.carlisleunited.co.uk|date=19 May 2025|accessdate=20 May 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Throughout his career, Hughes has been known by the nickname "Sparky" which he took from the [[Sparky (comics)|comic of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|title=One-on-One with Mark Hughes|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/178/article.aspx|work=FourFourTwo|date=May 2007 |access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref> Hughes grew up supporting his hometown club, [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sparky backs Wrexham FC for glory|url=http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/125287/sparky-backs-wrexham-fc-for-glory.aspx?|work=The Leader|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203093514/http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/125287/sparky-backs-wrexham-fc-for-glory.aspx|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2004 Birthday Honours]] for services to football.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57315 |supp=y|page=10|date=12 June 2004}}</ref> Hughes has been married to his wife Jill since the mid-1980s. They have two sons, Alex and Curtis, and a daughter, [[Xenna Hughes|Xenna]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/profile-main-man-of-united-1610783.html|title=Profile: Main man of United|first=Ian|last=Ridley|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 October 2011|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> who plays [[field hockey|hockey]] for [[Wales women's national field hockey team|Wales]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = How a Welsh football icon's daughter is about to overtake him | last = Cole | first = Rob | work = WalesOnline | date = 5 August 2017 | access-date = 3 April 2018 | url = https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/meet-daughter-welsh-football-icon-13436379}}</ref> Hughes wrote his [[autobiography]] in 1990 entitled ''Sparky – Barcelona, Bayern and Back''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United Player & Manager Biographies & Autobiographies|url=http://www.prideofmanchester.com/sport/mufc-books-players2.htm|work=prideofmanchester.com|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bounder.friardale.co.uk/Appearances/Hp-Hz.htm |title=Mark Hughes Chelsea stats |publisher=Bounder.Friardale.co.uk|access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/hughes.html |title=Mark Hughes Man. United stats |publisher=Stretfordend.co.uk|access-date=26 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navarrasport.com/noticias/osasuna-elimino-al-barca-en-1987 |title=Osasuna eliminó al Barça en 1987 |publisher=Navarrasport.com |access-date=26 November 2012 |language=es |archive-date=30 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230125128/http://www.navarrasport.com/noticias/osasuna-elimino-al-barca-en-1987 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ENFA">{{cite web|title=Leslie Mark Hughes|url=http://www.enfa.co.uk/|work=The English National Football Archive|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[DFB-Pokal]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A|}}
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[1983–84 Manchester United F.C. season|1983–84]]
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|11||4||0||0||2||1||4{{efn|name=CWC|Appearances in [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||0||0||0||17||5
|-
|[[1984–85 Manchester United F.C. season|1984–85]]
|First Division
|38||16||7||3||2||3||8{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||2||colspan="2"|—||55||24
|-
|[[1985–86 Manchester United F.C. season|1985–86]]
|First Division
|40||17||3||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0||49||18
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!89!!37!!10!!4!!6!!4!!12!!2!!4!!0!!121!!47
|-
|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[1986–87 FC Barcelona season|1986–87]]
|[[La Liga]]
|28||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||7{{efn|name=UC}}||1||colspan="2"|—||37||5
|-
|[[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] (loan)
|[[1987–88 FC Bayern Munich season|1987–88]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|18||6||3||1||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=EC|Appearances in [[European Cup]]}}||0||0||0||23||7
|-
|rowspan="8"|Manchester United
|[[1988–89 Manchester United F.C. season|1988–89]]
|First Division
|38||14||7||2||3||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in [[Football League Centenary Trophy]]}}||0||51||16
|-
|[[1989–90 Manchester United F.C. season|1989–90]]
|First Division
|37||13||8||2||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||48||15
|-
|[[1990–91 Manchester United F.C. season|1990–91]]
|First Division
|31||10||3||2||9||6||8{{efn|name=CWC}}||3||1{{efn|name=FACS|Appearance in [[FA Charity Shield]]}}||0||52||21
|-
|[[1991–92 Manchester United F.C. season|1991–92]]
|First Division
|39||11||3||1||6||0||4{{efn|name=CWC}}||2||1{{efn|Appearance in [[European Super Cup]]}}||0||53||14
|-
|[[1992–93 Manchester United F.C. season|1992–93]]
|[[Premier League]]
|41||15||2||0||3||1||2{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|—||48||16
|-
|[[1993–94 Manchester United F.C. season|1993–94]]
|Premier League
|36||12||7||4||8||5||2{{efn|name=EC}}||0||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||1||54||22
|-
|[[1994–95 Manchester United F.C. season|1994–95]]
|Premier League
|34||8||6||2||0||0||5{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||2||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||0||46||12
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!256!!83!!36!!13!!32!!12!!21!!7!!7!!1!!352!!116
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[1995–96 Chelsea F.C. season|1995–96]]
|Premier League
|31||8||6||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||12
|-
|[[1996–97 Chelsea F.C. season|1996–97]]
|Premier League
|35||8||7||5||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||44||14
|-
|[[1997–98 Chelsea F.C. season|1997–98]]
|Premier League
|29||9||1||0||6||2||3{{efn|name=CWC}}||1||1{{efn|name=FACS}}||1||40||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!95!!25!!14!!9!!10!!3!!3!!1!!1!!1!!123!!39
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|[[1998–99 Southampton F.C. season|1998–99]]
|Premier League
|32||1||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||1
|-
|[[1999–2000 Southampton F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|Premier League
|20||1||2||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!52!!2!!4!!0!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!61!!2
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Everton F.C.|Everton]]
|[[1999–2000 Everton F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|Premier League
|9||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||1
|-
|[[2000–01 Everton F.C. season|2000–01]]
|Premier League
|9||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!18!!1!!0!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!19!!1
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|[[2000–01 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2000–01]]
|First Division
|29||5||5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||5
|-
|[[2001–02 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|21||1||3||0||6||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!50!!6!!8!!0!!6!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!64!!7
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!606!!164!!77!!27!!60!!20!!45!!11!!12!!2!!799!!224
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name=nf>{{NFT player|14002|name=Mark Hughes|accessdate=21 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=rsssf>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wal-recintlp.html |title=Wales – Record International Players |first=Luis Fernando Passo |last=Alpuin |publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |access-date=21 November 2012 }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="16"|[[Wales national football team|Wales]]
|1984||5||3
|-
|1985||6||3
|-
|1986||1||0
|-
|1987||5||1
|-
|1988||5||1
|-
|1989||5||0
|-
|1990||4||1
|-
|1991||7||0
|-
|1992||8||1
|-
|1993||6||2
|-
|1994||3||0
|-
|1995||3||0
|-
|1996||5||4
|-
|1997||3||0
|-
|1998||3||0
|-
|1999||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!72!!16
|}

:''Wales score listed first, score column indicates score after each Hughes goal.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=8818 |title=Mark Hughes |publisher=EU-Football.info |access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Mark Hughes
|-
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
|align=center| 1 || 2 May 1984 || [[Racecourse Ground]], Wrexham, Wales || {{fb|ENG}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–0 || [[1983–84 British Home Championship]]
|-
|align=center| 2 || 22 May 1984 || [[Vetch Field]], Swansea, Wales || {{fb|NIR}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–1 || [[1983–84 British Home Championship]]
|-
|align=center| 3 || 14 November 1984 || [[Ninian Park]], Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|ISL}} ||align=center| 2–1 ||align=center| 2–1 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 4 || 30 April 1985 || [[Racecourse Ground]], Wrexham, Wales || {{fb|ESP}} ||align=center| 2–0 ||align=center| 3–0 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 5 || 5 June 1985 || [[Brann Stadion]], Bergen, Norway || {{fb|NOR}} ||align=center| 2–4 ||align=center| 2–4 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|align=center| 6 || 10 September 1985 || [[Ninian Park]], Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|SCO}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–1 || [[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 7 || 9 September 1987 || [[Ninian Park]], Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|DEN}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1988 qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 8 || 1 June 1988 || [[Ta' Qali National Stadium]], Valletta, Malta || {{fb|MLT}} ||align=center| 2–2 ||align=center| 3–2 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|align=center| 9 || 17 October 1990 || [[Ninian Park]], Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|BEL}} ||align=center| 3–1 ||align=center| 3–1 || [[UEFA Euro 1992 qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 10 || 14 October 1992 || [[Tsirion Stadium]], Limassol, Cyprus || {{fb|CYP}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–0 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 11 || 17 February 1993 || [[Tolka Park]], Dublin, Republic of Ireland || {{fb|IRL}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–2 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
|align=center| 12 || 28 April 1993 || [[Bazaly]], Ostrava, Czech Republic || {{fb|CSK|name=RCS}} ||align=center| 1–0 ||align=center| 1–1 || [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 13 || rowspan=2 | 2 June 1996 || rowspan=2 | [[Stadio Olimpico (San Marino)|Stadio Olimpico]], Serravalle, San Marino || rowspan=2 | {{fb|SMR}} ||align=center| 2–0 ||align=center rowspan=2 | 5–0 || rowspan=2 | [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 14 ||align=center| 3–0
|-
|align=center| 15 || rowspan=2 | 31 August 1996 || rowspan=2 | [[Cardiff Arms Park]], Cardiff, Wales || rowspan=2 | {{fb|SMR}} ||align=center| 2–0 ||align=center rowspan=2 | 6–0 || rowspan=2 | [[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|align=center| 16 ||align=center| 5–0
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 30 December 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Managerial record and tenure by team
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Wales national football team|Wales]]
|align=left|3 August 1999
|align=left|13 October 2004
{{WDL|41|12|15|14|decimals=2}}
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Henry, Sparky and Baggies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/aug/03/thefiver.sport |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=3 August 1999 |access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hughes deserved a better farewell |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3733592.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=13 October 2004 |access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|align=left|15 September 2004
|align=left|4 June 2008
{{WDL|188|82|47|59|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes">{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1916  |title=Managers: Mark Hughes|website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
|align=left|4 June 2008
|align=left|19 December 2009
{{WDL|77|36|16|25|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Mark Hughes sacked as Man City appoint Mancini manager"/><ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|align=left|29 July 2010
|align=left|2 June 2011
{{WDL|43|14|16|13|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Mark Hughes resigns as Fulham manager"/><ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
|align=left|10 January 2012
|align=left|23 November 2012
{{WDL|34|8|6|20|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|align=left|30 May 2013
|align=left|6 January 2018
{{WDL|200|71|48|81|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|align=left|14 March 2018
|align=left|3 December 2018
{{WDL|27|5|10|12|decimals=2}}
|<ref name=SouthamptonIn/><ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]]
|align=left|24 February 2022
|align=left|4 October 2023
{{WDL|82|31|26|25|decimals=2}}
|<ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]
|align=left|6 February 2025
|align=left|''Present''
{{WDL|47|24|10|13|decimals=2}}
||<ref name="Managers: Mark Hughes"/>
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|739|283|194|262|decimals=2}}
!
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Manchester United'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/mark-hughes|title=Mark Hughes|publisher=Manchester United|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>
* [[Premier League]]: [[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93]], [[1993–94 FA Premier League|1993–94]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/339/Mark-Hughes/overview |title=Mark Hughes: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>
* [[FA Cup]]: [[1984–85 FA Cup|1984–85]], [[1989–90 FA Cup|1989–90]], [[1993–94 FA Cup|1993–94]]
* [[EFL Cup|Football League Cup]]: [[1991–92 Football League Cup|1991–92]]
* [[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield]]: [[1990 FA Charity Shield|1990]] (shared), [[1993 FA Charity Shield|1993]], [[1994 FA Charity Shield|1994]]
* [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup|1990–91]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup|European Super Cup]]: [[1991 European Super Cup|1991]]

'''Chelsea'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/about-chelsea/history/former-players/mark-hughes|title=Mark Hughes|publisher=Chelsea FC|date=22 January 2018|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>
* FA Cup: [[1996–97 FA Cup|1996–97]]
* Football League Cup: [[1997–98 Football League Cup|1997–98]]
* [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: [[1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|1997–98]]

'''Blackburn Rovers'''
* Football League Cup: [[2001–02 Football League Cup|2001–02]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/worthington_cup/1834988.stm |title=Cole strike stuns Spurs |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2002 |access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>
* [[Football League First Division]] runner-up: [[2000–01 Football League First Division|2000–01]]

'''Individual'''
* [[PFA Young Player of the Year]]: 1984–85<ref>{{cite web|title=PFA Young Player of the Year Past Winners|url=https://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfaawards/youngwinners|publisher=Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709191655/http://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfaawards/youngwinners|archive-date=9 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]]: 1988–89, 1990–91<ref>{{cite web|title=PFA Player of the Year Past Winners|url=https://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfaawards/winners|publisher=Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710002827/http://www.thepfa.com/thepfa/pfaawards/winners|archive-date=10 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA First Division Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (1980s)#First Division 7|1985–86]],<ref name=Lynch146>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=146}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (1980s)#First Division 10|1988–89]],<ref name=Lynch147>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=147}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#First Division 2|1990–91]],<ref name=Lynch148>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=148}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#First Division 3|1991–92]]<ref name=Lynch149>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=149}}</ref>
*[[EFL Cup]] top scorer: [[1990–91 Football League Cup|1990–91]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co61/se3777/statistics-goals/|title=English League Cup Statistics |date=24 September 2024 |publisher=WorldFootball.net|access-date=12 April 2025}}</ref>
* [[Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year]]: [[1990–91 Manchester United F.C. season|1990–91]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Legends: Mark Hughes |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Legends/Mark-Hughes.aspx?pageNo=2 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
*[[Welsh Footballer of the Year]]: 1993, 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/gareth-retains-faw-award/|title=GARETH RETAINS FAW AWARD|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|date=5 October 2011|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>
*[[Chelsea Player of the Year]]: [[1996–97 Chelsea F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Thiago Silva is your Chelsea Player of the Season |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/thiago-silva-is-your-chelsea-player-of-the-season |website=Chelsea FC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528154230/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/thiago-silva-is-your-chelsea-player-of-the-season |archive-date=28 May 2023}}</ref>
* Inducted into [[English Football Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Hall of Fame|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/explore-the-museum/hall-of-fame/about-the-hall-of-fame|website=National Football Museum|access-date=28 April 2016|archive-date=9 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109105741/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/explore-the-museum/hall-of-fame/about-the-hall-of-fame|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year]]: 2002<ref>{{cite web|title=Congratulate Mark Hughes|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/sports_talk/2599307.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=31 December 2002|access-date=13 September 2016}}</ref>

===Manager===
'''Individual'''
*[[Premier League Manager of the Month]]: [[2007–08 Premier League#Monthly awards|October 2007]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/2639/Mark-Hughes/overview |title=Manager profile: Mark Hughes |publisher=Premier League |access-date=19 September 2018}}</ref>
*National League Manager of the Month: October 2025<ref>https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/news/2025/november/03/your-enterprise-national-league-october-award-winners-announced-/</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120702203708/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.overview.html/mark-hughes Premier League profile]
*{{FIFA player|174620}}
*{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007021900/http://dnausers.d-n-a.net:80/dnetmQXk/legends/MarkHughes.htm |date=7 October 2006 |title=Article on Manchester United Legends}}

{{Carlisle United F.C. squad}}
{{National League managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Wales national football team managers}}
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. managers}}
{{Manchester City F.C. managers}}
{{Fulham F.C. managers}}
{{Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers}}
{{Stoke City F.C. managers}}
{{Southampton F.C. managers}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. managers}}
{{Carlisle United F.C. managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{1991 World Soccer World XI}}
{{1985–86 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1988–89 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1990–91 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1991–92 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year}}
{{Chelsea F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{PFA Players' Player of the Year}}
{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}
{{Welsh Footballer of the Year}}
{{BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year winners}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, Mark}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
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[[Category:Footballers from Ruabon]]
[[Category:Welsh men's footballers]]
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[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in West Germany]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in West Germany]]
[[Category:20th-century Welsh sportsmen]]
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[[Category:Welsh football managers]]
[[Category:Wales national football team managers]]
[[Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. managers]]
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[[Category:Premier League managers]]
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[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:People educated at Ysgol Rhiwabon]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]