The Houston Dynamo have appointed Phil Hughes as goalkeeper coach, the club announced today. The former Wigan Athletic and Northern Ireland goalkeeper completes Owen Coyle’s technical staff entering the 2015 season.
Hughes appeared in over 200 games as a player, primarily with Wigan, Bury F.C. and Leeds United after time as a youth player with Manchester United and Burnley. The Belfast native made three appearances with the Northern Ireland national team and was backup to Pat Jennings at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
“Phil comes with fantastic experience at the highest level of the game, having worked with and developed international goalkeepers,” Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle said. “He is excited at the opportunity to work with Tyler (Deric), Joe (Willis) and Michael (Lisch) and help to continue their improvement and be part of the Houston Dynamo.”
Hughes retired as a player at 27 after recurring shoulder injuries. Following his playing career, Hughes served as head Academy goalkeeper coach at Leeds before moving to Grimsby Town (Football League Championship). Hughes continued as goalkeeper coach at Burnley before Coyle’s arrival as manager and helped the Clarets gain promotion to the English Premier League in 2009. He later moved with Coyle to Bolton and Wigan.
“We are pleased to add Phil to our coaching staff,” Dynamo vice president/general manager Matt Jordan said. “His experience and knowledge of the position will be important for our group of goalkeepers moving forward.”
In 20 years as goalkeeper coach, Hughes has helped produce or manage several national team goalkeepers, including: Scott Carson (England), Danny Coyne (Wales), Gábor Király (Hungary), Ali Al-Habsi (Oman), Jussi Jaaskelainen (Finland), Diego Penny (Peru), Andy Lonergan (England U-20, U-21s), Paul Robinson (England) and Adám Bogdán (Hungary). Hughes holds a UEFA A coaching license gained in attendance with the English Football Association.
