Mark Hughes ‘totally heartbroken’ following sudden death of son Alex

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Evening Standard

·20 June 2026

Mark Hughes ‘totally heartbroken’ following sudden death of son Alex

Alex Hughes was working at Grimsby Town when he passed away aged 38

Ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes has been left “heartbroken” by the sudden death of his son, Alex.

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Alex Hughes, 38, was working as a player recruitment lead for Grimsby Town at the time of his death, and had previously worked in roles across Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and in Germany with 1860 Munich.

In a statement released via the League Managers Association, former City, Stoke and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes said: “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex.

“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo. Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.

“We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss.”

Alex Hughes had a brief playing career, on the books of Stockport and Wrexham, before joining Blackburn in 2007, working as a performance analyst during his father’s time as manager.

He followed Mark to Manchester City in 2008 and worked with him again at Fulham before forging his own path abroad. He joined Grimsby in 2025.

Mark is presently out of work, having called time on a year-long stint as manager of Carlisle United in May after failing to win promotion to the football league. He has previously spent time coaching at Wales, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.