EXCLUSIVE: Hughes steps down as Carrick boss

“The board have known of my intention for more than eight weeks now,” said Hughes, who is the club’s chief execuitive and majority shareholder.

“I have a lot going on both within the football club and outside of football and I don’t have the necessary time and energy to devote to management.

“The board had a meeting yesterday and they interviewed a shortlist of candidates and Gary was chosen and has accepted the appointment as head coach.

“I don’t want to reveal the names of the others who were interviewed, but I should point out that I sat out of the process because I didn’t feel it appropriate for me, as chief executive, to be involved in that.”