a trigger a one-year extension to his contract. Coaching career On 18 September 2018, Pugh took on extra coaching duties at Port Vale following the departure of coach Gary Brabin. Neil Aspin resigned on 30 January 2019, and Pugh stepped in to serve as caretaker-manager. John Askey was appointed as manager on 4 February, before Pugh had the chance to take charge of any first-team games. Pugh became a full-time coach upon the expiry of his playing contract at the end of the season, though did take the #14 shirt and sat on the bench following a midfield injury crisis in September 2019. Pugh again became caretaker-manager following Askey's departure on 4 January 2021. Five days later he oversaw a 3–0 home win over Grimsby Town in his first game in management. On 18 January, he began self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. Club chairperson Carol Shanahan said that Pugh had been unlucky during his time in charge, missing Tom Pope and Devante Rodney to injury and having to self-isolate at home for two games, and she confirmed that Pugh had not applied for the role on a permanent basis. He returned to the touchline in time to oversee a 5–1 victory over bottom-club Southend United. He reverted to his original coaching role once Darrell Clarke was appointed manager on 15 February. On 10 May 2021, Port Vale announced Pugh had left the club. He was announced as a signing at Hanley Town three months later, a club managed by former teammate Carl Dickinson. Career statistics Playing statistics Managerial statistics Honours Stoke City Championship second-place promotion: 2007–08 FA Cup runner-up: 2010–11 References 1982 births Living people People from Cheadle Hulme English footballers Association football fullbacks Association football midfielders Manchester United F.C. players Leeds United F.C. players Preston North End F.C. players Stoke City F.C. players Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players Coventry City F.C. players Bury F.C. players Blackpool F.C. players Port Vale F.C. players Hanley Town F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players FA Cup Final players Association football coaches Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff English football managers Port Vale F.C. managers English Football League managers