Latest news with #MarkHughes
The National
18 hours ago
- Business
- The National
New Kilmarnock manager has no regrets about making way for Mark Hughes
The project was so attractive that no less a figure than Mark Hughes, the former Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and Wales midfielder and Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and Stoke City manager, ended up taking it. Yet, Kettlewell has no regrets, none whatsoever, about not moving to Carlisle United or pursuing the other opportunities which presented themselves to him in the wake of his surprise and contentious exit from Fir Park. The 40-year-old, who stood down despite his men being in fifth place in the Premiership because of the toll which the fan abuse he was receiving was taking on his family, appreciated that it was important for him to choose his next job wisely. His instincts about Carlisle, who are owned by United States logistics businessman Tom and Patty Piatak, perhaps proved correct. Hughes, despite overseeing an improvement in form and getting disgruntled fans firmly onside, was helpless to prevent them suffering relegation to the National League at the end of April. Read more: 'That that was an opportunity that came up very quickly for me,' said Kettlewell. 'I think some people put two and two together. I think it was the only job available at the time, so I think it was only seven days after I'd come out of Motherwell. 'There's been kind of two or three options there since, nothing against the clubs, nothing against the opportunities. But it's about trying to find what you feel is right for you and for how you want to work and the people that you'll be surrounding yourself with and working with.' He continued, 'If we speak about that particular job, there was lots right about it. I think the ownership there and the backing has been excellent, really, really good. 'But I think that sometimes you need to go on your gut feeling as to whether you think it's the right thing. That's not in fear of the situation that you would have been inheriting, it's just making sure that you can try and put your stamp on it. 'Now there's a situation where it maybe crosses a road where it doesn't link to how exactly you want to work. Is there a desperation to get back into management, is there a desperation to get back into football? (Image: SNS Group) 'I may or may not have been right with the decision I've made on a couple of jobs that have come and the opportunities that have been presented to me. But, again, there is a bit of gut feeling in it. 'There's also a bit of weighing up everything that surrounds the football club and working out whether, and I've said it before, it's not just about working in football for me, it's trying to work in the right job. 'I love the game, I love management, but I think a lot of people just want to be in football to be able to tell somebody I work in the game. That's not really ever been a thing for me. 'I want to see the successes and I want to see the fruits of your labour at the other end of that and I want to see people prosper from within that. That's kind of how my mindsets always work.' Kettlewell is convinced that he has made the right choice taking on the Kilmarnock job and is hopeful that he will be able to bring talented young players from the Rugby Park academy through into the first team in the season ahead. The former Queen's Park, Clyde and Ross County midfielder accepts no credit at all for the rise to prominence which Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller, who joined up with the Scotland squad yesterday ahead of their friendly internationals against Iceland and Liechtenstein, has enjoyed in the past couple of seasons. However, he still gave Miller regular first team game time during his time in North Lanarkshire and even made the youngster his captain. He would love to see more gifted prospects make the step up into the senior ranks in Ayrshire. Read more: 'I take no responsibility for Lennon Miller's development,' he said. 'Yes, I played him for a lot of games and I would have played him for a lot of other games if he hadn't come across two serious injuries. But a lot of people worked with him before me. 'But I came through at Queen's Park, where young players were given an opportunity. I was a young captain, a really young captain, at the time. Then once I got into coaching, I went and started working with the under-20s at Ross County and got a lot of success there. 'That's always been a part of my pathway. My thought process is to try and give those opportunities. They come in different ways. Sometimes you sign a rough diamond and you feel that you give them a facility because I always speak about just being a facilitator. (Image: Euan Cherry - SNS Group) 'You'll see some guys walking about patting themselves on the back and saying, 'I've done that'. I've never made a football player before in my life. But I do think you facilitate it. You try and guide them and you try and show them the pathway that might be beneficial to them. 'Lennon Miller was probably the easiest one of them all. When you're a top talent, you live your life right and you do the right things. My job within it was I played him and I gave him games. 'But there's been plenty of others in the mix in there as well. If they follow your lead and they take it seriously, then I think you can help them if you're prepared to give them an opportunity. 'Bobby Wales and David Watson are two good examples of players who have taken their chance here at Kilmarnock. There's been plenty more before that. You just want to take your own version of it on.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hughes: Blues must be up for 'messy' National League test
Carlisle are targeting a successful season in the National League after relegation (Image: Ben Holmes) Mark Hughes says Carlisle United must approach the 'messy' nature of the National League in the right way. The Blues boss says that respecting the tough nature of fifth tier football is all important. While Hughes has said Carlisle will be one of the biggest clubs at the level, the National League remains a furiously competitive division. Advertisement And even those at the lesser end of the division can pose problems on any given day, the head coach says. Hughes says he has been drawing on the experience of new head of football operations Marc Tierney for some further insights into Carlisle's new level. 'We've got a good understanding of it,' said Hughes, who yesterday sealed the signing of Altrincham striker Regan Linney. 'Marc Tierney himself has got good experience on the National League with his experience at Altrincham. Obviously, I've been picking his brains on that. Hughes says the competitive nature of the National League must be respected (Image: PA) Advertisement 'The reality is it's a difficult league. Everybody knows it. Probably the top five, top six of the league are comparable to League 2 teams certainly. 'Maybe the rest of the league isn't quite as strong but on any given Saturday or Tuesday night, all teams can cause you problems. 'You've just got to really approach it in the right manner. That's the message. 'We've got to realise that at times it'll be a bit messy. It'll be a fight, it'll be a challenge. 'We've just got to be able to meet that and then allow hopefully the quality that we've undoubtedly got in the building to show through.' Advertisement Carlisle know 22 of their 23 league opponents for the 2025/26 season, with the final side to be confirmed tomorrow afternoon, with Oldham Athletic set to take on Southend United in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £3 for 3 months, or get 40% off a full year's subscription - click HERE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle sign prolific Altrincham striker Linney
Prolific Altrincham striker Regan Linney has signed for Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old, whose 25 goals for the Robins earned him a place in the National League team of the season, joins the relegated Cumbrians on a three-year deal. Advertisement He scored 44 goals in 93 total appearances for Alty and head coach Mark Hughes said he likes Linney's "flexibility". "We like the way he goes about his business, he's got flexibility which is important and he can play down the middle or from the left, and he scored a lot of goals from that position last season," Hughes said.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Carlisle sign prolific Robins striker Linney
Prolific Altrincham striker Regan Linney has signed for Carlisle United for an undisclosed 28-year-old, whose 25 goals for the Robins earned him a place in the National League team of the season, joins the relegated Cumbrians on a three-year scored 44 goals in 93 total appearances for Alty and head coach Mark Hughes said he likes Linney's "flexibility"."We like the way he goes about his business, he's got flexibility which is important and he can play down the middle or from the left, and he scored a lot of goals from that position last season," Hughes said, external.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hughes' pledge to fans amid season-ticket boost
Mark Hughes says the loyalty of fans must be rewarded next season (Image: Ben Holmes) Mark Hughes has spoken of his gratitude to Carlisle United's fans for continuing to back his bid to turn the Blues around. United have already sold more than 2,000 season tickets for next season despite facing up to life in the National League after successive relegations. Advertisement This follows this week's start of the early buy period for new season ticket holders, United having previously overseen a renewal period for existing season ticket holders. The figures represent a further example of the dedicated support the Blues are getting in spite of their recent slide on the pitch. Head coach Hughes said it also continues to reflect the support he experienced last season – and underlines why United must give their fans something much better in 2025/26. 'The support that we had, certainly on the last day of the season, was something I've never experienced,' Hughes said. 'Not only myself, but I've never seen anybody else have that kind of reaction. It was noted and gratefully received. Advertisement 'Now we've got to give each and every Carlisle fan something more tangible to really get behind them. 'That's the intention next year.' Carlisle announced on May 22 that more than 1,500 fans had renewed their season tickets. A further milestone was then revealed on Wednesday with sales going past the 2,000 mark. That follows last week's news that Hughes is remaining as head coach at Brunton Park as Carlisle prepare for life in the fifth tier for only the second time in their league history. The early buy season ticket period opened on Tuesday, and runs to June 30. The prices offer supporters a four-game saving. Advertisement Renewals continue to run until June 8, while general sales for new season tickets at standard prices run from July 1 to August 1. Full information and all 2025/26 season ticket prices are on the club website HERE. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £3 for 3 months, or get 40% off a full year's subscription - click HERE
