Mixed reaction from fans as Carlisle confirm appointment of Mark Hughes as new head coach

There was mixed reaction from fans as Carlisle United confirm the appointment of Mark Hughes as their new head coach.

Hughes was appointed in February 2022, after being out of management since December 2018 when he was sacked by Premier League side Southampton.

He guided the Bradford to a 14th place finish at the end of that season, then in 2023, the Cumbrians beat Mark Hughes’ Bantams side in the playoffs on their way to League One.

But now Carlisle have appointed the 61 year old in a bid to save them from dropping out of the Football League.

The ex-Wales, Stoke City and Man City boss joins the Blues and will be assisted by Glyn Hodges on rolling contracts.

As a player, he started his career with Man Utd before also featuring for the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.

🤝 Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Hughes as the club’s new head coach.

Read more. ⤵️

— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) February 6, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Hughes as the club’s new head coach.

Hughes, 61, has a wealth of experience having been on the touchline for close to 700 games during his managerial career, with over 500 in the Premier League.

He has managed the Welsh national team, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke City and Southampton in the Premier League, as well as most recently managing Bradford City in Sky Bet League Two.

As a player, he started his career with Manchester United before also featuring for the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn Rovers.

He won numerous trophies during his playing career, including the FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, League Cup and the Premier League.

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.

Hughes will be joined at Brunton Park by new assistant coach Glyn Hodges and both have signed rolling contracts.

Hodges, also 61, has assisted Hughes at a number of clubs during their coaching career having first joined forces for Wales in 2004.

Hughes and Hodges will join current staff Chris Bell and Ian Watson, alongside goalkeeper coach Tom Weal. They will take charge of Thursday’s training session ahead of Saturday’s trip to Grimsby.

Sporting director Rob Clarkson said: “I’m delighted that Mark has agreed to join Carlisle United.

“His experience and stature in the game speaks for itself. He is someone who will instantly command respect from all staff and players and I am really excited to work with him.

“The players we have here will suit the way he wants to play and I’m sure our fans will really get behind him and the team in our remaining 18 games.”

As mentioned, there has been mixed reaction from fans as Carlisle confirm the appointment of Mark Hughes as new head coach…

@ashlazy1991: It could be a masterstroke. Probs fire up the players to play, 4 at the back & could teach the strikers a thing or two. My doubts are if he trying to implement own system (Bradford really struggled when that happened)

@jamescrooks: I think he can keep us up, but wouldn’t love to have him past that. Glad he’s in the dugout for Saturday mind

@Matthewgaskell9: If we’ve missed Jon Brady because we wanted to keep the coaching staff it just sums up the club atm

@CUFC_Lee: Experienced… lets give him the best support we can… #utb 🦊

@PaulHawkins66: Wouldn’t have been my choice but let’s get behind him.

@GavinJeschke7: Good luck mark 👏let’s turn this around

@Jonnyreay: Seems a random choice but I don’t care if he manages to keep us up!! We have more of a chance with him than we did persisting with Williamsonball! Let’s just back him & crack on! UTB 💙

@Thecityvent: *I come In peace*. Can’t understand this appointment, Mark Hughes doesn’t strike me as the type to galvanize a club & save them from relegation from league 2. Frustrating, slow football of knocking it around at the back & loves subbing a defender on when your chasing a game. Odd.

@ticketaddict: Good luck, you’ve got 18 games to make yourself a Cumbrian hero. I don’t care about the past, how you treated Skelton etc. I just care about you giving your all for us now. Most fans will feel the same.

@andrewhoddie: Comments from others are negative before he’s even had a match, let’s get behind him and hope he keeps us up. Let’s get BP with atmosphere again and be the 12th man. We are still in with a shout of staying up (maths being the maths) hopefully we can get the results

@Alex_Jordan85 : I’d take him til the end of the season if it means us staying up, then change in the summer. Couldve been better, could’ve been worse… just have to back him and the lads from now til the end of the season! #COYB

@AaranAky: Ah fuck it! No point moaning about who and who didn’t get the job and just back them for 18 games and see what we can do 💙 UTB

@tomhwilliams23: First of all, credit to Mark Hughes for taking another L2 job. Could have easily called it a day after Bradford In terms of Carlisle, and their approach this season, it’s been very confusing. Will the Jan signings fit his approach? We have to wait and see

@Greigy96: Bit of a strange one. When he keeps us up, no-one will be bothered that he used to manage Bradford. Sparky Mark’s Blue White Army! ⚡️

@dan_batemannn: Loved Mark Hughes as a player, one of the best of his time. As a manager he’s had a mixed career. Really not sure he’s the right man to keep us up but we need to get behind him and the team and hopefully he can pull off the great escape. Good luck Mark. You’re going to need it.

@_McCluskeyR: If you take the lead you’re fine he knows exactly how to control the pace and see out a game but if you concede first you’re in a world of trouble his brand of football doesn’t account for it, well best of luck to yous if you keeps you up he’s a hero

@GPickthall26: Uninspiring appointment but has a lot of experience. Hopefully can get the team firing quickly, next few games are massive

@tashkentterror: Whatever manager we wanted, we now have to get fully behind him and the players to achieve goal of preserving our Football League status. But, IF we get relegated after appointing Mark Hughes, then it is going to be an extremely long way back with the fanbase for the Piataks.

@warwickroadend: Whether you like it or not, there’s 18 games left – get behind him and the lads, until the end.

@BenJoseph0157: Well then…… no other option but to get behind him and the team. He has to hit the ground running as simple as that. Just keep us up.💙

@Jordmcdowall: Could’ve been better could’ve been worse , just need to get behind them now

@swighills: Can’t get any worse than rock bottom, also that training ground volley is impeccable. Bring back the good vibes Sparky 🙏

@edward_w97: Never stops being amazing, the way things can work out in football. Wasn’t even 2 years ago that Carlisle enjoyed beating Mark Hughes in the Play-Offs, on their way to promotion. Now they’re calling upon him to try and save them from falling into Non-League…