Man Utd legend, 61, to be given thud into brutal reality of non-league with 14-hour, 880-mile round trip

MANCHESTER UNITED legend and experienced manager Mark Hughes is set for a huge non-league reality check if he stays on as Carlisle boss.

Hughes, 61, looks set to remain in charge of The Cumbrians next season despite sealing relegation from League Two into the National League.

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The drop into non-league will be a big change for Hughes, who throughout his coaching career has taken charge of nearly 500 Premier League games for the likes of Manchester City and Fulham.

As well as spending five years as the Welsh national team boss.

While his playing career saw him represent huge teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Now a drop into the National League will represent his first ever non-league management, setting up a brutal reality check with one of his upcoming away days.

Following Cornish side Truro City's promotion into the National League, Carlisle will face a 14-HOUR, 880-MILE round trip to take on the Tinners next season.

Truro became the first ever Cornish side to win promotion into the National League when they beat St Albans City 5-2 to win the National League South on Sunday.

Despite Mark Hughes' vast experience at the top level, the former Bradford City manager has said he will have no issues dropping down the leagues.

He said: " I have no ego. Just because I played for United and managed clubs like Man City, or led my country, doesn’t mean being in charge of a National League team would somehow be beneath me.

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“Maybe other people might feel that but not me, even if I recognise it would be pretty unique for someone with some of the high spots I’ve had in my career.

“I showed how much I still love being a manager by going to Bradford — when you’ve been a manager as long as I have you just miss that buzz of standing on the touchline at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon.”

While he has hinted that he will be staying put, adding: "The owners are good people and they still have some big plans.

“Discussions have taken place about me staying and plans for the future. This has been a tough challenge but one I’d still be up for, so we’ll see.

“We have around 18 players under contract for next season.

“The core of the side is already there and we’ve seen how well they’ve responded over the last couple of months against all the odds.”

Americans Tom and Patty Piatak bought Carlisle 17 months ago, announcing ambitious plans to reach the Championship.

Instead, the logistics millionaires from Florida have overseen successive relegations.

The club have parted ways with sporting director Rob Clarkson "with immediate effect" following their unsuccessful battle against relegation from League Two.

While the owners have said they are "deeply sorry for putting the fans through so much pain", and have begun to plan for next season with discussions "ongoing and positive" with Mark Hughes.

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