What Hughes hasn't forgotten is the art of management. In his time out he would go up to Ainslie Park, home of Lowland League side Spartans, to watch and run some sessions, and while doing media work he would always make notes on players he might one day like to sign.
County's recent 5-0 defeat at Premiership leaders Rangers left its mark on Hughes, who turned down other opportunities to get back in before accepting the job in Dingwall, where he feels he will get a fair crack to leave his mark.
"Rangers were too good for us - rightly so. They're a better team, better individual players, bigger budget - that's what you're up against," he says. "But as a coach you still sit back and appreciate the style of football they played - that's proper football.
"I got a wee chance to speak to Steven Gerrard after it, and I said that: 'Your team plays proper football.'
"He says: 'Thanks very much, it was three years in the making.' That's it. Every manager needs time."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55902978