After a 19-year playing career, including a spell at Norwich City, Hughes started his coaching career at Bolton Wanderers in July 2014 as assistant under 21s and first team coach. In March 2016 he moved on to Crystal Palace as a first team coach but four months later he moved to Huddersfield Town as a first team coach under Stuart Webber.

Hughes stayed at Huddersfield for nearly three years before becoming the Lead U23s coach at Sheffield United for just under a year.

Hughes then went on to enjoy a brief spell at Sheffield Wednesday last year before becoming a coach for Norwich City earlier in the summer this year.