Former Manchester United and Wales forward Mark Hughes confirmed the extremely sad news in a statement released by the League Managers Association
22:30, 20 Jun 2026Updated 22:43, 20 Jun 2026
Mark Hughes and his family have confirmed the sad death of their son, Alex, aged 38
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Mark Hughes and his family have confirmed the sad death of their son, Alex, aged 38(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United forward Mark Hughes has confirmed that his son, Alex, has died suddenly at the age of 38.
Alex was player recruitment lead at Grimsby Town and Hughes has said that he and his wife Jill have been left “totally heartbroken” by his passing.
A statement released by the League Managers Association on behalf of Hughes read: “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.
Mark Hughes
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Mark Hughes released a statement to the League Managers' Association confirming the heartbreaking news(Image: Getty Images)
“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 started off as a player, representing the reserve sides of Stockport County and Wrexham, before moving away from playing to focus on player analysis and recruitment.
He began his career at Blackburn Rovers in 2007, working as the sole performance analyst at the club.
Spells with Manchester City and Fulham then followed before he moved to Portugal to work for a private academy system from 2011 until 2014.
Mark Hughes during his time in charge of Manchester City
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Mark Hughes during his time in charge of Manchester City(Image: (Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
He then became a player agent before moving into club football first with AFC Fylde and then Morecambe before joining Grimsby in July last year.
While Mark Hughes enjoyed a decorated career as a player, winning the FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, League Cup and the Premier League. Many of those trophies came with Man United after he came through the club's youth system.
He also picked up 72 international caps for Wales, scoring 16 goals, which included the winning goal against England 17 minutes into his international debut.
The 62-year-old managed the Welsh national team, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke City and Southampton in the Premier League, as well as Bradford City in League Two.
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He most recently managed Carlisle United, but he left the club at the end of May after failing to win promotion from the National League.
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