MARK HUGHES’ son Alex has died suddenly at the age of 38.
Alex held a prominent role in Grimsby Town‘s player recruitment department at the time of his death, which has left Manchester United legend Hughes and the rest of his family “totally heartbroken”.
The former Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City and Stoke City manager has released an emotional family statement via the League Managers Association.
It reads: “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.”
Born in 1987 while dad Mark was contracted to Barcelona, Alex had a brief football career in Wales before moving into a variety of behind-the-scenes roles.
He earned his stripes as a match analyst at Blackburn before Man City took him on as a scout.
Alex then worked as chief analyst at another of his dad’s former clubs, Fulham, before forging his own path with advisory roles at 1860 Munich and Reading.
In 2024 he took over as director of football at AFC Fylde before returning to prominent scouting roles at Morecambe and Grimsby.
Dad Mark, 62, had a distinguished playing career with United, Barca, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.
He then became a mainstay in Premier League management after five years in charge of the Welsh national team.
Hughes was most recently in charge of Carlisle United but left last month after suffering defeat in the National League play-off semi-finals.
