So, Who The Heck Is John Hughes?

John Hughes took charge at Hartlepool United yesterday, but his appointment left many fans scratching their heads as to who exactly he is, Vital Hartlepool fills in the gaps.

After a long playing career that saw him turn out for Berwick Rangers Swansea City, Celtic, Hibernian, Ayr United and finally Falkirk he moved into management with the Bairns in 2003.

Initially co-managing the club with Owen Coyle, Hughes took full control of Falkirk when Coyle left the club for Dundee United.

He guided his unfancied club to cup glory as his side won the Scottish Challenge Cup in 2004 before winning promotion to the Scottish Premier League as First Division champions the following season.

Despite operating on a shoestring budget at the Falkirk Stadium, Hughes guided his side to five successive safe finishes in Scotland’s top flight and took his side to the Scottish FA Cup final in 2009.

Falkirk also qualified for the Europa League that season but Hughes was poached by Hibernian over the summer. He led Hibs to a top four finish in his first season in charge, taking the club into European competition the following season. But after a sluggish start to the 2009-10 season he was dismissed in early October.

After eighteen months out of the game, during which time he applied for the Hartlepool United job following Mick Wadsworth’s departure, he took charge at First Division side Livingston at the start of 2012.

Hughes guided his side to fifth place in the league at the end of the season and leaves his side in the same position today as he begins his first full day as Hartlepool United boss.

Managerial history

Falkirk, January 2003 – May 2009, win ratio 41.3%
Hibernian, June 2009 – October 2010 win ratio 35.19%
Livingston, February 2012 – November 2012 win ratio 44.44%
Hartlepool, November 2012 –

Honours

with Falkirk
1 First Division championship
1 Scottish Challenge Cup
1 Scottish Cup runners-up
1 Europa League qualification

with Hibernian
1 Europa League qualification