Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says he is heartbroken after the sudden and unexpected death of his son Alex, 38, who was player recruitment lead at Grimsby Town.
Mark Hughes was preparing for another day as a football man—messages, duties, football talk in the background. Then, on 20 June 2026, the news landed that his son Alex had died suddenly at the age of 38.
In a statement released via the League Managers Association. Hughes said he and his wife Jill were “totally heartbroken” by the loss of “our beloved son Alex.” He described Alex as “a wonderful son. ” brother to Curtis and Xenna. and a devoted husband and father to Jessica. along with their two children. Sebastian and Leonardo.
Hughes also confirmed what Alex was doing in football at the time of his death. Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, having previously worked for Manchester City as an analyst.
Hughes wrote that Alex “had many good friends and colleagues” at Grimsby Town, adding: “He will be so deeply missed by us all.” The family asked for privacy as they “come to terms with our family’s loss,” signing the message “The Hughes family.”
Before Alex’s recruitment role at Grimsby, his career had moved steadily around the sport. After a brief playing career in Wales, he worked off the pitch as a licensed agent. He also worked alongside his father as an analyst at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham.
In 2024, Alex became director of football at AFC Fylde.
For Mark Hughes himself, the grief is personal and public at the same time. Hughes spent 345 times playing for Manchester United, with stints also including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. He later moved into management. taking charge of Wales for five years before spells at Manchester City. Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
The timing has been brutal for those close to him: Hughes most recently left Carlisle last month after falling to defeat in the National League play-off semi-finals.
In the same week that brought another football disappointment, the sudden death of Alex has now become the defining event—one the family says it is still trying to process in private.
Mark Hughes Alex Hughes Grimsby Town player recruitment lead League Managers Association Manchester City analyst AFC Fylde director of football