Ex-Newcastle United defender joins Kaka, Andrey Arshavin and Didier Drogba – in the classroom

The former Newcastle United defender once faced the likes of Didier Drogba and Emile Heskey on the pitch – now he’s sharing a classroom with them.

Hughes – who started his career at St James’s Park – retired from football last summer.

And the 40-year-old former Northern Ireland international started the two-year UEFA Executive Master for International Players course late last year.

“The last season that I played (at Heart of Midlothian), I knew it was the last one,” Hughes told PA. “I had a couple of niggles I couldn’t get on top of, and mentally I was very tired.

“My thoughts then turned to what next. I wasn’t as prepared as I would have liked. I found it strange to have weekends free.”

The course, which looks at areas outside of coaching, was recommended to Hughes – who made more than 200 Premier League appearances for Newcastle before being sold by Graeme Souness to Aston Villa in 2005 – by Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill, who coached him at international level.

Hughes said: “Something about it felt right. It’s different to coaching. The game has changed now.

“It looks at areas of the game and areas where ex-pros can work outside of coaching, so I went for it. It looks at the admin side of football. It’s opening up so many difference avenues and ways of thinking.”

Managers now need support from technical directors given the demands of the job, and that’s a role that interests Hughes.

“Away from coaching, it’s another aspect that is becoming important in clubs,” said Hughes. “This course is helping that. I’m still open to other things, but it is making me focus.

“Everyone on the course has vast experience in football – it’s an incredible group of people.”

Hughes has been joined in the classroom by the likes of Kaka, Andrey Arshavin, Florent Malouda and John O’Shea as well as Drogba and Heskey.

“So far, everyone’s been quiet, but I imagine a few will come out of their shells as the course goes on,” said Hughes, who won 110 caps for Northern Ireland.