John Hughes leaves position as Ross County manager

Ross County have announced that manager John Hughes has left his position as the club’s manager ahead of the expiry of his contract.

Hughes joined the club in December on a short-term deal, taking on the task of helping the Dingwall club avoided relegation.

A late surge saw the club move from the bottom of the table and clear of the relegation play-off space to a tenth-place finish.

County say that following the successful conclusion to the season,. Hughes has told the club that he is leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The Staggies will now begin their search for a new manager.

A club statement read: “Following the conclusion of the 2020/21 season, the club has spent several days reviewing one of our most difficult campaigns in the Scottish Premiership.

“We thankfully retained our Premiership status under challenging circumstances- against a backdrop of COVID-19 and making the decision to change managers midway through the campaign. John Hughes was brought to Ross County on a fixed-term contract until the end of the season to steer us to safety from relegation, and he has successfully achieved that objective.

“The club can today confirm that John has decided to explore further football opportunities and with the imminent expiry of his contract, John will leave the club. John’s time here was a great success for John personally and Ross County Football Club.”

Hughes said: “I would like to thank the players, staff and supporters.

“I have enjoyed my time at Ross County. I was appointed with the objective of securing Premiership football and I am proud to have achieved this under the circumstances. I wish Roy MacGregor and Ross County every success for the future.”