Chris Hughton
Encyclopedia
Christopher William Gerard "Chris" Hughton (born 11 December 1958 in Stratford, London
) is a professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Birmingham City F.C.
After making his professional début at age 18, Hughton spent most of his playing career with Tottenham Hotspur
as a left back, leaving in 1990 after 13 years. After relatively brief spells with West Ham United
and Brentford
, Hughton retired from playing in 1993 aged 34. He also earned 53 caps
for the Republic of Ireland national team
, becoming their first mixed-race international. He started all three games of UEFA Euro 1988 in West Germany
.
From 1993 to 2007 Hughton served as a coach and then assistant manager for Tottenham. He joined Newcastle as first team coach in 2008, and following their relegation, Hughton as caretaker manager
took charge of their first season in the Championship, before being announced as permanent manager in October 2009. He was sacked as manager by Mike Ashley
on 6 December 2010.
's youth system, the left back first played for the first team aged 18, and amassed in all competitions, more than 300 appearances. In November 1990 West Ham United
signed Hughton, initially on loan, then on a free transfer with West Ham manager Billy Bonds
signing Hughton as cover for the injured Julian Dicks
. Locally-born Hughton described the move thus: "In a sense it was like going home. I was born about 10 minutes away from the ground. My mum and dad still live there." He played two seasons at West Ham, making 43 appearances in all competitions without scoring. In 1992 he signed for Brentford, again on a free transfer. He played one season for Brentford, before retiring aged 34.
for the Republic of Ireland
from 1979 to 1991. He was part of the nation's final squads for Euro 1988 — playing in all three matches — and the 1990 World Cup
(where he did not play, Steve Staunton
playing instead). Hughton was awarded a testimonial which was played on 29 May 1995 at Lansdowne Road
. He would also serve as the national team's assistant manager under Brian Kerr, from February 2003 to October 2005.
Hughton was the first mixed-race footballer to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level.
, initially in charge of the under-21 team, then the reserve side in 1999, being promoted to the first team two years later. In his time at Spurs, he served under ten different managers: Ray Clemence
, Doug Livermore
, Osvaldo Ardiles
, Gerry Francis
, Christian Gross
, George Graham
, Glenn Hoddle
, David Pleat
, Jacques Santini and Martin Jol
. He also served as caretaker manager on two separate occasions. With Hughton on board, Tottenham finished in fifth place for two consecutive seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07), while also winning the Football League Cup
in 1998–99. On 25 October 2007, Hughton was dismissed as assistant manager along with then manager Jol, following a UEFA Cup home defeat (in the group stages) to Getafe
.
, joining Kevin Keegan
's coaching staff, working primarily on defence with Steve Round
. In his first game, Newcastle beat former club Tottenham Hotspur 4–1, at White Hart Lane
.
On 8 September 2008, Hughton was named caretaker manager of Newcastle following the departures of Keegan, Terry McDermott
and Adam Sadler. After a defeat to newly promoted, but in-form Hull City
and a League Cup exit to Tottenham Hotspur though, Hughton stood down as caretaker and was replaced on a temporary basis by Joe Kinnear
. Hughton was promoted to Assistant Manager after the Magpies appointed Colin Calderwood
as First-Team Coach on 26 January 2009. In February, Kinnear took ill before a game with West Bromwich Albion
, Hughton took charge of that game which Newcastle won 3–2. In the week following the win it was revealed that Kinnear needed a heart bypass operation and that Hughton along with Colin Calderwood
and Paul Barron
would have to take charge of the team for the next few weeks and possibly months. However, defeats to Bolton Wanderers
, Manchester United
and Arsenal
, and draws against Everton
and Hull City
resulted in Newcastle appointing Alan Shearer
as interim manager until the end of the season.
announced he was selling the club, Hughton was again left with the job of caretaker manager, when the club failed to further secure the services of Alan Shearer
. This was followed by a statement from Llambias saying "Mike Ashley feels it would be unwise to appoint a team manager when the club is for sale", leaving Hughton in charge for the start of the 2009–10 season. Hughton's first two games in charge of the new season saw inspired performances in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion
away from home and a memorable 3–0 win against Reading
at home, which ended in Shola Ameobi
getting his first ever hat trick. He continued Newcastle's unbeaten start of the new season with a 1–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday
which also featured his first transfer signing of the season Danny Simpson
. Hughton also signed Peter Løvenkrands
and Fabrice Pancrate
on free transfers and completed the loan signings of Zurab Khizanishvili
and Marlon Harewood
.
season saw Hughton win successive manager of the month awards for August and September and then again in November, resulting in the board naming him as the new permanent manager of the club, after two stints as caretaker. Hughton's league start to his managerial career has been the best in Newcastle's history. In January Newcastle signed Mike Williamson
, Wayne Routledge
and Leon Best
in permanent transfers and Fitz Hall
and Patrick Van Aanholt
on loan. On 5 April 2010 Newcastle, under Hughton's control, confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League prior to a match against Sheffield United
, after Nottingham Forest
failed to win their match against Cardiff City
. They then went on to win the game 2–1 with a Peter Løvenkrands
penalty and a Bicycle kick from Kevin Nolan
to earn them a place back in the Premier League after just one season away. Newcastle then went on to clinch the championship title on 19 April 2010 after a 2–0 victory over Plymouth Argyle
, Winning 30, Drawing 12 and Losing just 4 of their 46 matches. Newcastle were unbeaten at home for the entire 2009–10 season including both cup competitions, clinching promotion in record time.
During pre season for the 2010–11 season Hughton signed Sol Campbell
and Dan Gosling
for free whilst getting James Perch
for an undisclosed fee in order to help maintain survival in the Premiership. His first home win on return to the Premier League came on 22 August, when Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 6–0, with 3 goals from Andy Carroll
, 2 goals from Kevin Nolan
and 1 goal from Joey Barton
. Hughton has received praise for his calm management style to stabilise the club, shrewd signings and guiding Newcastle back to the league and securing a good start to life in the Premier League. Prior to Newcastle's 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers
and away win at Everton
, he completed the signings of Cheick Tioté and Hatem Ben Arfa
. Despite leading his newly promoted side to healthy ninth place by the end of October, unrest came when star player Andy Carroll
was arrested for assault. Newcastle followed this with wins at West Ham United
and a memorable 5–1 derby victory against Sunderland
. Both before and after the victory Hughton received the backing of his players and the Newcastle supporters. Later in 2010, Hughton led United to their first win against Arsenal in five years, beating Arsenal
1–0 at the Emirates Stadium
with an Andy Carroll
header.
Following a 3–1 defeat at West Brom
in December, Hughton became the first Premier League manager of the 2010–11
season to lose his job, as he was dismissed by Managing Director Derek Llambias. The decision was ill received by the players and the supporters, with veteran defender Sol Campbell claiming that the decision "makes no sense", and local commentator and ex-player John Anderson
saying he was "devastated and angry" by the sacking. The sacking was also condemned by Lord Alan Sugar
, Colin Calderwood
, and Alan Shearer
. The club stated that "an individual with more managerial experience [was] needed to take the club forward". Peter Fraser of Sky Sports
stated that Hughton "brought calmness, dignity and respect to the Magpies' dugout", whilst Phil McNulty of the BBC said that "Newcastle's followers have been loyal and grateful to Hughton" and that "Ashley will no doubt face further accusations that he is out of touch with football's realities". Before the match against Liverpool
, on 11 December, campaigners from United For Newcastle organised a protest outside St James' Park
as an opportunity for supporters to thank Hughton and to show their anger towards Ashley's decision.
's decision to sack manager Roberto Di Matteo
, Hughton was seen as the favourite for the job. Instead though, with Hughton's insistence on bringing in his own staff being cited as a major stumbling block, it was former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson
who was appointed to the position. He was also linked with the vacant West Ham United
and Cardiff City
jobs over the summer of 2011. It was also reported that Hughton had an interview with Cardiff City over the vacant position.
club and League Cup
holders Birmingham City. In the club's first European campaign for 50 years, he led them into the group stages of the Europa League
courtesy of a 3–0 aggregate win against Portuguese side Nacional. During October, Birmingham won four and drew one of their League matches, an achievement for which Hughton was named Championship Manager of the Month.
school in Forest Gate, London. Hughton's brother Henry
played for Crystal Palace
, Leyton Orient, and alongside Chris for Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team in 1981, while son Cian
played for Tottenham Hotspur, and currently represents the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team. Cian signed a 6 month professional contract with Lincoln City
on 27 July 2009, his good form prompted Lincoln to offer him a long term deal.
Hughton formerly wrote a column for the Workers' Revolutionary Party
publication News Line
.
Brentford:
Stratford, London
Stratford is a place in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb...
) is a professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Birmingham City F.C.
After making his professional début at age 18, Hughton spent most of his playing career with Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
as a left back, leaving in 1990 after 13 years. After relatively brief spells with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, Hughton retired from playing in 1993 aged 34. He also earned 53 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Republic of Ireland national team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, becoming their first mixed-race international. He started all three games of UEFA Euro 1988 in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
From 1993 to 2007 Hughton served as a coach and then assistant manager for Tottenham. He joined Newcastle as first team coach in 2008, and following their relegation, Hughton as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
took charge of their first season in the Championship, before being announced as permanent manager in October 2009. He was sacked as manager by Mike Ashley
Mike Ashley (businessman)
Michael James Wallace "Mike" Ashley is an English millionaire retail entrepreneur in the sporting goods market...
on 6 December 2010.
Club career
A product of Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
's youth system, the left back first played for the first team aged 18, and amassed in all competitions, more than 300 appearances. In November 1990 West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
signed Hughton, initially on loan, then on a free transfer with West Ham manager Billy Bonds
Billy Bonds
William Arthur "Billy" Bonds MBE is a former professional footballer and manager, who is most often associated with West Ham United with whom he spent 27 years as player and manager...
signing Hughton as cover for the injured Julian Dicks
Julian Dicks
Julian Andrew Dicks , is a retired football player and manager, last attached to Isthmian League Division One North club Grays Athletic.-Playing career:...
. Locally-born Hughton described the move thus: "In a sense it was like going home. I was born about 10 minutes away from the ground. My mum and dad still live there." He played two seasons at West Ham, making 43 appearances in all competitions without scoring. In 1992 he signed for Brentford, again on a free transfer. He played one season for Brentford, before retiring aged 34.
International career
Hughton won 53 capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
from 1979 to 1991. He was part of the nation's final squads for Euro 1988 — playing in all three matches — and the 1990 World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
(where he did not play, Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
playing instead). Hughton was awarded a testimonial which was played on 29 May 1995 at Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
. He would also serve as the national team's assistant manager under Brian Kerr, from February 2003 to October 2005.
Hughton was the first mixed-race footballer to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level.
Tottenham Hotspur
From June 1993 to October 2007, Hughton was a coach at Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, initially in charge of the under-21 team, then the reserve side in 1999, being promoted to the first team two years later. In his time at Spurs, he served under ten different managers: Ray Clemence
Ray Clemence
Raymond Neal "Ray" Clemence, MBE is one of English and European football's most decorated goalkeepers ever and was part of the Liverpool team of the 1970s.-Scunthorpe United:...
, Doug Livermore
Doug Livermore
Douglas Ernest Livermore is a former professional footballer and manager.-Playing career:Livermore began his career with Liverpool where he came through the youth system to eventually sign professional forms on the 1 November 1965 as an 18 year old...
, Osvaldo Ardiles
Osvaldo Ardiles
Osvaldo César Ardiles , often referred to in Britain as Ossie Ardiles, is a football coach, pundit and former midfielder who won the 1978 World Cup as part of the Argentine national team...
, Gerry Francis
Gerry Francis
Gerald Charles James Francis is an English former footballer and manager, now working as First Team coach at Stoke City.-Playing career:Francis made his debut for Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool in March 1969...
, Christian Gross
Christian Gross
Christian Gross is a professional football coach and former player who currently manages Young Boys Bern. Before that he managed VfB Stuttgart until his dismissal in October 2010. He was manager of FC Basel from 1 July 1999 to 27 May 2009.-Playing career:Gross began his playing career at...
, George Graham
George Graham (footballer)
George Graham is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his success at Arsenal, as a player in the 1970s and then as manager from 1986 until 1995.-Early life:...
, Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
, David Pleat
David Pleat
David John Pleat is an English football player turned manager and sports commentator.He is remembered by his contemporaries primarily for his career as manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town football clubs, and for an oft-televised clip of him running onto the pitch in 1983 to celebrate after...
, Jacques Santini and Martin Jol
Martin Jol
Maarten Cornelis "Martin" Jol is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder who currently manages Fulham in the Premier League. Jol played over 400 games during his career which included spells in the Netherlands, Germany, and England, as well as earning three caps with the Dutch national team...
. He also served as caretaker manager on two separate occasions. With Hughton on board, Tottenham finished in fifth place for two consecutive seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07), while also winning the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in 1998–99. On 25 October 2007, Hughton was dismissed as assistant manager along with then manager Jol, following a UEFA Cup home defeat (in the group stages) to Getafe
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
.
Newcastle United
On 22 February 2008, he was appointed first team coach at Newcastle United by director of football Dennis WiseDennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
, joining Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
's coaching staff, working primarily on defence with Steve Round
Steve Round
Steve Round is an English football coach and ex-player, currently on the coaching staff of Everton.-Career:...
. In his first game, Newcastle beat former club Tottenham Hotspur 4–1, at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
.
On 8 September 2008, Hughton was named caretaker manager of Newcastle following the departures of Keegan, Terry McDermott
Terry McDermott
Terence "Terry" McDermott is a former football midfielder and current coach. He is currently the assistant manager at League One side Huddersfield Town.He is the father of Newcastle United player Greg McDermott and Marsaxlokk player Neale McDermott-Early career:McDermott joined Bury as a youngster...
and Adam Sadler. After a defeat to newly promoted, but in-form Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
and a League Cup exit to Tottenham Hotspur though, Hughton stood down as caretaker and was replaced on a temporary basis by Joe Kinnear
Joe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
. Hughton was promoted to Assistant Manager after the Magpies appointed Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
as First-Team Coach on 26 January 2009. In February, Kinnear took ill before a game with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, Hughton took charge of that game which Newcastle won 3–2. In the week following the win it was revealed that Kinnear needed a heart bypass operation and that Hughton along with Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
and Paul Barron
Paul Barron
Paul George Barron is an English former football goalkeeper. He is currently the goalkeeping coach at Nottingham Forest.-Playing career:...
would have to take charge of the team for the next few weeks and possibly months. However, defeats to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, and draws against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
resulted in Newcastle appointing Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
as interim manager until the end of the season.
Newcastle United caretaker
During the off-season of 2009, owner Mike AshleyMike Ashley (businessman)
Michael James Wallace "Mike" Ashley is an English millionaire retail entrepreneur in the sporting goods market...
announced he was selling the club, Hughton was again left with the job of caretaker manager, when the club failed to further secure the services of Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
. This was followed by a statement from Llambias saying "Mike Ashley feels it would be unwise to appoint a team manager when the club is for sale", leaving Hughton in charge for the start of the 2009–10 season. Hughton's first two games in charge of the new season saw inspired performances in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
away from home and a memorable 3–0 win against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
at home, which ended in Shola Ameobi
Shola Ameobi
Foluwashola "Shola" Ameobi is an Nigerian footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United as a forward. Born in Nigeria but raised in Newcastle, he played for England at under-21 level. He is the older brother of fellow footballers Tomi and Sammy...
getting his first ever hat trick. He continued Newcastle's unbeaten start of the new season with a 1–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
which also featured his first transfer signing of the season Danny Simpson
Danny Simpson
Daniel Peter "Danny" Simpson is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Premier League club Newcastle United. A product of the Manchester United academy, Simpson has also played on loan for Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers in England and Royal Antwerp in Belgium...
. Hughton also signed Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Rosenkrands Løvenkrands is a Danish footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, and for the Danish national team. He is a striker who can also play as a left winger and is known for his pace....
and Fabrice Pancrate
Fabrice Pancrate
Fabrice Pancrate is a French football player who is currently playing for FC Nantes.-Club career:Pancrate started his professional career in Louhans-Cuiseaux in 1999 where he played two matches. He then went to Guingamp from 2000 until 2002 playing six matches...
on free transfers and completed the loan signings of Zurab Khizanishvili
Zurab Khizanishvili
Zurab Khizanishvili is a Georgian footballer who plays for Turkish club Kayserispor as a defender.-Early career:Khizanishvili started his career at Dinamo Tbilisi where he remained for just one season, before joining FC Tbilisi to improve his chances of playing regular first team football.In 1999...
and Marlon Harewood
Marlon Harewood
Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007...
.
Permanent appointment
A positive start to the 2009–102009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season saw Hughton win successive manager of the month awards for August and September and then again in November, resulting in the board naming him as the new permanent manager of the club, after two stints as caretaker. Hughton's league start to his managerial career has been the best in Newcastle's history. In January Newcastle signed Mike Williamson
Mike Williamson
Michael Williamson may refer to:*Mike Williamson , Australian rules football commentator and broadcaster*Mike Williamson , English footballer*Michael Williamson , Australian unionist...
, Wayne Routledge
Wayne Routledge
Wayne Neville Anthony Routledge is an English footballer who plays for Swansea City. He plays as a midfielder predominantly on the right wing but can also play on the left. He has represented England at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level...
and Leon Best
Leon Best
Leon Julian Brendan Best is an English-born Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team Newcastle United and the Republic of Ireland national football team. Best represented Ireland at under-21 level and won his first full international cap against Nigeria on 29 May 2009.Best...
in permanent transfers and Fitz Hall
Fitz Hall
Fitz Benjamin Hall is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers. He is a central defender who can also play as a central midfielder. His nickname is "One Size" Fitz Hall, a pun on the phrase "one size fits all"...
and Patrick Van Aanholt
Patrick van Aanholt
Patrick John Miguel van Aanholt is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Wigan Athletic, on loan from Chelsea as a left back.-Chelsea:...
on loan. On 5 April 2010 Newcastle, under Hughton's control, confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League prior to a match against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, after Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
failed to win their match against Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. They then went on to win the game 2–1 with a Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Rosenkrands Løvenkrands is a Danish footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, and for the Danish national team. He is a striker who can also play as a left winger and is known for his pace....
penalty and a Bicycle kick from Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan is an English professional footballer who plays for and is the current club captain of West Ham United in the Football League Championship. An attacking midfielder, he has represented England at under-21 level....
to earn them a place back in the Premier League after just one season away. Newcastle then went on to clinch the championship title on 19 April 2010 after a 2–0 victory over Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, Winning 30, Drawing 12 and Losing just 4 of their 46 matches. Newcastle were unbeaten at home for the entire 2009–10 season including both cup competitions, clinching promotion in record time.
During pre season for the 2010–11 season Hughton signed Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell
Sulzeer Jeremiah "Sol" Campbell is an English footballer who is currently a free agent. A central defender, Campbell has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as the English national team.Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell's...
and Dan Gosling
Dan Gosling
Daniel "Dan" Gosling is an English footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United as a centre midfielder, right midfielder or right fullback. Gosling is a versatile player, having operated as a box-to-box midfielder on several occasions and occasionally deputised at right back to...
for free whilst getting James Perch
James Perch
James Robert Perch is an English footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United. Perch is versatile and has covered many positions in both defence and across midfield. However, he is usually deployed at right back....
for an undisclosed fee in order to help maintain survival in the Premiership. His first home win on return to the Premier League came on 22 August, when Newcastle thrashed Aston Villa 6–0, with 3 goals from Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll
Andrew Thomas "Andy" Carroll is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team....
, 2 goals from Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan is an English professional footballer who plays for and is the current club captain of West Ham United in the Football League Championship. An attacking midfielder, he has represented England at under-21 level....
and 1 goal from Joey Barton
Joey Barton
Joseph Anthony "Joey" Barton is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League side Queens Park Rangers as either a central midfielder or a winger....
. Hughton has received praise for his calm management style to stabilise the club, shrewd signings and guiding Newcastle back to the league and securing a good start to life in the Premier League. Prior to Newcastle's 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and away win at Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, he completed the signings of Cheick Tioté and Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder...
. Despite leading his newly promoted side to healthy ninth place by the end of October, unrest came when star player Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll
Andrew Thomas "Andy" Carroll is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team....
was arrested for assault. Newcastle followed this with wins at West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and a memorable 5–1 derby victory against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. Both before and after the victory Hughton received the backing of his players and the Newcastle supporters. Later in 2010, Hughton led United to their first win against Arsenal in five years, beating Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
1–0 at the Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
with an Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll
Andrew Thomas "Andy" Carroll is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team....
header.
Following a 3–1 defeat at West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in December, Hughton became the first Premier League manager of the 2010–11
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
season to lose his job, as he was dismissed by Managing Director Derek Llambias. The decision was ill received by the players and the supporters, with veteran defender Sol Campbell claiming that the decision "makes no sense", and local commentator and ex-player John Anderson
John Anderson (Irish footballer)
John Christopher Patrick Anderson is a former Irish international footballer who played as a defender. His clubs included West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End and Newcastle United.-Club career:...
saying he was "devastated and angry" by the sacking. The sacking was also condemned by Lord Alan Sugar
Alan Sugar
Alan Michael Sugar, Baron Sugar is a British entrepreneur, media personality and political advisor. From humble origins in the East End of London, Sugar now has an estimated fortune of £770m , and was ranked 89th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2011...
, Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
, and Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
. The club stated that "an individual with more managerial experience [was] needed to take the club forward". Peter Fraser of Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
stated that Hughton "brought calmness, dignity and respect to the Magpies' dugout", whilst Phil McNulty of the BBC said that "Newcastle's followers have been loyal and grateful to Hughton" and that "Ashley will no doubt face further accusations that he is out of touch with football's realities". Before the match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, on 11 December, campaigners from United For Newcastle organised a protest outside St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
as an opportunity for supporters to thank Hughton and to show their anger towards Ashley's decision.
After Newcastle
Following West Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
's decision to sack manager Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo is a Swiss-born Italian former professional footballer and the current assistant manager of Chelsea. As a midfielder, he enjoyed spells at Schaffhausen, Zürich Aarau, Lazio, and Chelsea. He was capped by Italy 34 times, scoring two goals for the Italian national team, and played...
, Hughton was seen as the favourite for the job. Instead though, with Hughton's insistence on bringing in his own staff being cited as a major stumbling block, it was former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson is a former English footballer and current head coach of West Bromwich Albion.Hodgson, who has managed sixteen different teams in eight countries, guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996; Switzerland had not qualified...
who was appointed to the position. He was also linked with the vacant West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
jobs over the summer of 2011. It was also reported that Hughton had an interview with Cardiff City over the vacant position.
Birmingham City
On 22 June 2011, Hughton was appointed manager of ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club and League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
holders Birmingham City. In the club's first European campaign for 50 years, he led them into the group stages of the Europa League
2011–12 UEFA Europa League
The 2011–12 UEFA Europa League is the third season of the competition since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup. It began on 30 June 2011 with the first legs of the first qualifying round, and will end on 9 May 2012 with the final to be held at Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania...
courtesy of a 3–0 aggregate win against Portuguese side Nacional. During October, Birmingham won four and drew one of their League matches, an achievement for which Hughton was named Championship Manager of the Month.
Managerial statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
 |
20 November 1997 | 25 November 1997 |
|||||
| Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
|
7 September 1998 | 1 October 1998 |
|||||
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
|
8 September 2008 | 29 September 2008 |
|||||
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
|
7 February 2009 | 2 April 2009 |
|||||
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
|
1 June 2009 | 6 December 2010 |
|||||
| Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
|
22 June 2011 | present |
|||||
| Total |
||||||||
Personal life
Hughton attended St Bonaventure'sSt Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School
St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, also known informally as St. Bon's, is located in Forest Gate, London Borough of Newham, United Kingdom. It is a voluntary-aided Catholic comprehensive secondary school for boys aged 11–18. The school has had Technology College status since...
school in Forest Gate, London. Hughton's brother Henry
Henry Hughton
Henry Timothy Hughton is an English-born Irish former professional footballer who played as a defender.-Club career:Born in Stratford, Hughton played in the Football League for...
played for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, Leyton Orient, and alongside Chris for Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team in 1981, while son Cian
Cian Hughton
Cian James Hughton is an English-born Irish footballer who is currently without a club. He plays as a defender.-Tottenham Hotspur:He joined Tottenham Hotspur's academy in 2005, and went on to make 15 youth team appearances that season...
played for Tottenham Hotspur, and currently represents the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team. Cian signed a 6 month professional contract with Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on 27 July 2009, his good form prompted Lincoln to offer him a long term deal.
Hughton formerly wrote a column for the Workers' Revolutionary Party
Workers' Revolutionary Party (UK)
The Workers Revolutionary Party is a minute Trotskyist group in Britain. In the mid-1980s, it split several ways.-The Club:The WRP grew out of the faction Gerry Healy and John Lawrence led in the Revolutionary Communist Party which urged that the RCP enter the Labour Party. This policy was also...
publication News Line
The News Line
The News Line is a daily newspaper published by a British Trotskyist group, the Workers' Revolutionary Party. It was launched in 1969 as Workers Press and renamed News Line in 1976....
.
Player
Tottenham Hotspur:- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: Winner (1981, 1982), runner up (1987) - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: Runner up (19821982 Football League Cup FinalThe 1982 Milk Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool won the match 3–1 after extra time with goals from Ian Rush and Ronnie Whelan . The match took place on 13 March 1982.-Details:...
) - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: Winner: 1984) - FA Charity Shield: Winner (1981), runner up (1982)
Brentford:
- Football League Division Three: Winner: 1991–92
Manager
Newcastle United:- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
: Winner (2009–20102009–10 Football League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship season 2009–10 is the sixth season of the league under its current title and eighteenth season under its current league division format...
) - Teresa Herrera TrophyTeresa Herrera TrophyThe Teresa Herrera Trophy is an annual pre-season football tournament hosted by Deportivo La Coruña at the Estadio Riazor.Established in 1946, it is the third oldest professional football tournament in Spain - behind the Trofeo Playa y Sol and the Copa San Pedro - and is considered one of...
: Winner (2009–10)
Individual
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
Manager of the Month: Winner (August 2009, September 2009, November 2009, April 2010, October 2011) - Football League Championship LMA Manager of the Season: Winner (2009–2010)