Hundreds of mourners were in attendance as the funeral of Mark Hughes’ son Alex took place in Prestbury following his sudden death last month.
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was among those in attendance, as well as Mike Phelan, Martin Edwards, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs.
Hughes carried the coffin of his son into St Peter’s Church with other members of the family, including Alex’s brother Curtis and father-in-law David Pollock.
Alex’s widow Jess walked into the church behind the coffin with their children Sebastian and Leonardo.
The Manchester Evening News reported that Pollock had revealed in an emotional eulogy how both of the children had started pointing to the sky after scoring goals in honour of their father.
Mark gave a private tribute at the committal, but a joint tribute from the Man United great and his wife Jill was read out by Pollock at the end of his eulogy.
Mark Hughes carried the coffin of his son Alex into St Peter’s Church in Prestbury
The order of service from the funeral of Alex Hughes, who died suddenly aged 38 last month
Former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was among the mourners in attendance at the funeral
‘Alex, thank you for giving us the privilege of being your mum and dad,’ Mark and Jill said.
‘Thank you for every smile, every laugh, every hug, every precious memory.
‘You were, and always will be, our perfect son. We love you beyond words. We always have and we always will. Mum and Dad.’
Along with representatives from Hughes’ former club Man United, Grimsby Town manager David Artell led a delegation from the League Two club.
Alex had been working as the player recruitment lead at Grimsby at the time of his shock death on June 19.
The League Managers Association (LMA) had announced Alex’s death last month, releasing a statement on behalf of former Man City and Wales boss Hughes.
‘Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex,’ the statement read.
‘Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.
Alex worked with his father, Mark, at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham
‘Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.
‘We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss. The Hughes family’.
After a brief playing career in Wales, Alex took up several roles off the pitch.
As well as being a licensed agent, he worked with his father as an analyst at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham before becoming director of football at AFC Fylde in 2024.
Dad Mark had an esteemed playing career, turning out 345 times for Manchester United alongside stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Hughes then turned to management, leading Wales for five years before spells at Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.
Most recently, Hughes left Carlisle last month after falling to defeat in the National League play-off semi-finals.
