MARK HUGHES is preparing to take another step down to help Carlisle back up into the Football League.
The legend racked up 569 games as a Premier League boss after five years in charge of .
Now he looks certain to remain in charge of the Cumbrians in next season’s National League after they were relegated with defeat at Cheltenham.
, who also spent 20 months as chief, sees no problem in finding himself in the fifth tier of English football, declaring: “I have no ego.
“Just because I played for United and managed clubs like , or led my country, doesn’t mean being in charge of a National League team would somehow be beneath me.
“Maybe other people might feel that but not me, even if I recognise it would be pretty unique for someone with some of the high spots I’ve had in my career.
“I showed how much I still love being a manager by going to Bradford — when you’ve been a manager as long as Ihave you just miss that buzz of standing on the touchline at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.”;
The 61-year-old — who won two Prem titles and enjoyed a clutch of cup successes at — also bossed , Stoke, , QPR and Southampton.
After being sacked by the Saints in 2018, he spent more than three years out of the game before shocking the world by turning up at the Bantams.
Hughes then with Carlisle five points adrift at the bottom of and had won five and drawn five of 16 games before the near–inevitable happened on Saturday.
Relegation or not, the indications are that he will stay after signing a rolling contract three months ago.
Hughes added: “The owners are good people and they still have some big plans.
“Discussions have taken place about me staying and plans for the future. This has been a tough challenge but one I’d still be up for, so we’ll see.
“We have around 18 players undercontract for next season.
“The core of the side is already there and we’ve seen how well they’ve responded over the last couple of months against all the odds.”;
Americans Tom and Patty Piatak bought Carlisle 17 months ago, announcingambitious plans to reach the .
Instead, the logistics millionaires from Florida have overseen successive relegations.
And the owners said they were “deeply sorry for putting the fans through so much pain”;.
But there was also a huge hint that Hughes will be staying on, with their statement declaring: “Planning for next season is already in motion.
“Discussions with are ongoing and positive.
“In recent weeks, Mark has helped rebuild the connection between the team and supporters.
“It’s a small but important step.
“It shows what this football club can still become — and underlines how farwe still have to go.”;
