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Manchester United legend Mark Hughes has vowed he will not resign from his position as boss of Carlisle United despite confirmation of their relegation.
Carlisle were relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. The last time Carlisle dropped down from the EFL was 20 years ago.
Hughes took over the reins at Carlisle in February after the dismissals of Paul Simpson and Mike Williamson.
The former United forward had been out of work for 16 months since leaving Bradford City and he arrived in Cumbria with a mission – to save the bottom club from relegation.
Carlisle had shown a slight improvement in form and heading into the game against Cheltenham, they were enjoying their best run in two years, having picked up 10 points from a possible 12. However, the damage had already been done, and they faced an uphill battle.
If anyone expected Hughes to resign from his post, then they will be disappointed as the 61-year-old has made it clear he has no intention of stepping down.
He told The Sun [as quoted by Manchester Evening News], “I have no ego. Just because I played for United and managed clubs like Manchester City, or led my country, doesn’t mean being in charge of a National League team would somehow be beneath me.”
“Maybe other people might feel that but not me, even if I recognise it would be pretty unique for someone with some of the high spots I’ve had in my career.”
“I showed how much I still love being a manager by going to Bradford – when you’ve been a manager as long as I have you just miss that buzz of standing on the touchline at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.”
Asked whether the owners have been in touch about his role at Brunton Park, Hughes answered, “Discussions have taken place about me staying and plans for the future. This has been a tough challenge but one I’d still be up for, so we’ll see.”
“We have around 18 players under contract for next season. The core of the side is already there and we’ve seen how well they’ve responded over the last couple of months against all the odds.”
Hughes made 467 appearances for United over two spells at the club, scoring 163 goals.
He helped the Red Devils win two top-flight titles, four FA Cups and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.
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