Aston Villa old boy Aaron Hughes back in the classroom
Former Villa defender Aaron Hughes has swapped facing the likes of Didier Drogba and Emile Heskey on the football field to sharing a classroom with them.
Hughes, 40, retired from football last summer after a career that took in significant spells at Newcastle and Fulham, along with Villa, QPR, Brighton and Hearts.
Hughes’ former Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill mentioned a UEFA course and, with some prodding from Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson, he decided to sign up.
“The last season that I played, I knew it was the last one,” Hughes said.
“I had a couple of niggles I couldn’t get on top of and mentally I was very tired. My thoughts then turned to what next. I wasn’t as prepared as I would have liked. I found it strange to have weekends free.”
O’Neill and Nelson both recommended UEFA Master for International Players course.
Hughes said: “It looks at areas of the game and areas where ex-pros can work outside of coaching so I went for it.”
