Carlisle United chiefs bank on 'period of stability' under Hughes
Nigel Clibbens said this summer was the right time to have continuity rather than more upheaval.
Hughes is set to lead Carlisle into the 2025/26 National League season having initially taken charge in February.
The experienced head coach agreed to remain at the helm this summer and Clibbens believes this is what United needed, after a 2024/25 relegation campaign when they had three different bosses.
'It's always a balance between change, and continuity and cohesion,' said Clibbens on big decisions at the tip.
'Because the reality of it is, whenever you change anything, it can be very, very disruptive.
'It's not like normal business, where people come and go, and life goes on.
'You change people in a football club, and it has ripple effects.
'So this is why, when you're changing head coaches and stuff, it's big, because it's not just one person – you end up with lots of people going.
Hughes built a positive rapport with fans last season (Image: Ben Holmes)
'So we recognised that we needed a period of stability, so we're really pleased that Mark stayed.'
Clibbens added that things have been 'very positive' at the club so far this summer, where Hughes' retention has come alongside changes in other areas.
The head coach lost assistant Glyn Hodges and replaced him with first-team coaches Frankie McAvoy and Gavin Skelton, as Jamie Devitt returned to the academy coaching set-up.
Other behind-the-scenes changes have seen Marc Tierney's arrival as head of football operations, in place of sporting director Rob Clarkson, and Martin Foyle replacing Greg Abbott as head of recruitment.
Carlisle are currently coming to the end of a week-long training camp in south Wales, with the Blues preparing for their third pre-season friendly – and their first friendly open to fans – at AFC Fylde on Saturday.
That is followed by further trips to South Shields, Harrogate Town and Chester before the league season kicks off at Woking on August 9.
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