Mark Hughes, the former Manchester United striker, is grieving the sudden loss of his son Alex. He was 38 years old.
Alex Hughes died unexpectedly, sparking an outpouring of grief across English football. His father, now 62, released a statement through the League Managers Association. “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex,” it read. “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 wasn’t just known as Mark Hughes’s son. He built his own career in the game. After a brief playing stint with Stockport and Wrexham, he moved into analysis and recruitment. Blackburn Rovers hired him as a performance analyst in 2007. From there he worked at Manchester City, Fulham, AFC Fylde, and Morecambe before landing at Grimsby Town in 2025 as player recruitment lead.
Grimsby released a statement too. “Everyone at Grimsby is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our player recruitment lead, Alex Hughes,” it said. “Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby family.” They noted how quickly he became a trusted figure, working closely with head coach David Artell on the club’s recruitment strategy and first-team development.
The club also asked for privacy for Alex’s wife Jessica, his kids Sebastian and Leonardo, his parents Mark and Jill, and his siblings Curtis and Xenna. Manchester United sent their condolences too.
It’s the kind of news that stops you cold. A father outliving his son. A family trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense. Alex left behind two young children. His career was still climbing. He’d only been at Grimsby for about a year.
Mark Hughes played 467 times for United across two spells. He also managed Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke, and Southampton. But none of that matters right now. Just the loss.
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