Alex Hughes, son of former Manchester United star Mark Hughes, died in June from sudden adult death syndrome, his family confirmed. He was 38.
“Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex,” Mark, 62, said in a statement. “Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.”
Mark added, “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.”
SADS, also called sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, is an inherited condition that leads to an abnormal heart rhythm, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Without treatment, sudden death can occur.
The British Heart Foundation added that SADS “usually happens when a dangerously abnormal heart rhythm goes untreated and leads to a cardiac arrest.”
Alex was found by his two sons on June 19 after collapsing at his home in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Paramedics were unable to revive him and a coroner has ruled that he died of natural causes.
Mark played for Manchester United from 1980 to 1986, and again from 1988 to 1995. He went into coaching after his playing career ended, most recently leading England’s Carlisle United.
Alex followed his dad into soccer, playing for Stockport and Wrexham before turning to administration. He held recruitment roles at Manchester City and other clubs before joining Grimsby Town FC in 2025.
Grimsby head coach David Artell called Alex “just such a good guy.”
“Life can be really cruel,” Artell added, according to the BBC.
“Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes,” the club said in a statement in June. “Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby Town family.”
The statement continued, “Beyond his professional achievements, Alex was deeply valued by those who knew him. His warmth, professionalism and positive personality made a lasting impression throughout the football club and the wider football community… The Club respectfully asks that the privacy of Alex’s family is respected as they come to terms with their loss.”
“The Club respectfully asks that the privacy of Alex’s family is respected as they come to terms with their loss,” the statement concluded. “Rest in peace, Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.”
