Danny Pugh

Manchester United

Pugh came through the youth ranks at Manchester United, signing as a professional on 18 July 2000. He made his first-team debut after coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy in a 5–2 win over Israeli side Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Champions League group stage game at Old Trafford on 18 September 2002. He made his Premier League debut three days later, this time replacing Ryan Giggs with five minutes remaining of a 1–0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur. He went on to make further appearances against Juventus and Deportivo de La Coruña in the second group stage of the Champions League. Having played five times in the 2002–03 season, he was given just two appearances by Alex Ferguson in the 2003–04 campaign.

Leeds United

In May 2004, Pugh was traded to derby rivals Leeds United in part-exchange for Alan Smith, becoming the first player signed by manager Kevin Blackwell. He scored his first goal in senior football on 10 August, as Leeds lost 2–1 at Gillingham in the Championship. He went on to score both of United's goals in a 2–2 draw at Crewe Alexandra on 18 September. He held down the left midfield position in a 4–4–2 formation for the first half of the 2004–05 season, before being switched to left-back after an injury to Stephen Crainey. However, Pugh fell out of favour at Leeds after Blackwell switched to a 4–3–3 formation, and he featured just 15 times in the 2005–06 campaign.

Preston North End

Pugh was…

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. She confirmed that Pugh had not applied for the role permanently. 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. He joined Leek Town as a first-team coach in September 2023. In July 2026, Pugh was appointed as…

Playing statistics

Managerial statistics

As of match played 6 February 2021

Stoke City

Football League Championship second-place promotion: 2007–08 FA Cup runner-up: 2010–11