Former Newcastle United defender Aaron Hughes has been reflecting on the ten-year spell on Tyneside which kicked off his career as he moves to the next stage of his life in football.
Hughes hung up his boots last summer after a playing career spanning more than two decades. The Northern Irishman amassed almost 700 senior appearances at clubs in England, Scotland, Australia and India, as well as earning 112 international caps for his country.
With a view to staying in football, the 40-year-old has now enrolled on UEFA’s Masters for International Players (MIP) programme, which aims to provide ex-players with the professional skills needed to transition into their future careers.
'Great memories'
Reflecting on his playing days, which began when he was signed by Kevin Keegan in 1995, Hughes’ revealed his fondness for the club and city is just as strong 15 years after leaving.
"They are great memories," Hughes said. "I went there as a 16-year-old kid. I grew up there.
Hughes plays in a pre-season friendly at Derry City in July 1997
"I always say it was like a second home to me. My wife and her family are from Newcastle.
"I remember coming back from India (after playing for Kerala Blasters) and coming back to Newcastle and driving past the stadium and I thought ‘I would give anything to have another 90 minutes in there’."
Hughes made his competitive debut for United at the Nou Camp in November 1997 under Kenny Dalglish, replacing Philippe Albert in a narrow defeat to FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League only a few weeks after his 18th birthday.
He would go on to rack up 278 appearances for the club, playing throughout Sir Bobby Robson’s reign, before being sold by Graeme Souness in May 2005.
"I think back to some of the games and players and managers – incredible times," he added.
Hughes played in THAT 3-2 win at Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League in 2002
"The fans are incredible. The stadium is in the heart of the city and that’s what the football club is – the heartbeat of the city.
"When things are going well and winning you cannot imagine there are too many better places to play football."
Life after football
After enrolling in the UEFA MIP programme following his recent retirement, Hughes is now rubbing shoulders with stellar names including Kaká, Didier Drogba, Andrey Arshavin and Júlio César - just some of the 30 students on the course.
Hughes (far left) with the current UEFA MIP participants
The 20-month programme, which is hosted in Nyon, Switzerland, offers former players strategic management skills that are suited to a wide range of football industry positions.
Hughes is also following in the footsteps of three other former Magpies - Nikos Dabizas and Geremi were both enrolled on the first edition of the UEFA MIP from 2015-17, while Hugo Viana graduated in 2019.
Speaking about the course, Hughes said: "The last season that I played, I knew it was the last one.
"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.
Hughes at UEFA HQ in Nyon
"Something about the MIP felt right. It’s different to coaching. The game has changed now. It looks at areas of the game and areas where ex-pros can work outside of coaching so I went for it.
"It looks at the admin side of football. It’s opening up so many difference avenues and ways of thinking.
"Away from coaching it is another aspect that is becoming important in clubs. This course is helping that. I’m still open to other things but it is making me focus."
Our thanks to UEFA and Ashley Broadley, PA Media.