Former Nottingham Forest favourite Chris Hughton has shared details of his battle with prostate cancer after undergoing a procedure to eliminate the illness.
The 67-year-old received his diagnosis last year and subsequently had an operation to remove his prostate, a surgery he describes as successful. He now finds himself cancer-free and is eager to raise awareness about the condition, having caught it at a treatable stage.
The former defender has revealed he remained composed upon learning of his diagnosis, expressing confidence in his recovery from the outset. He indicated he did not immediately assume the worst, instead adopting a pragmatic attitude toward addressing the condition.
Regular health assessments arranged through the League Managers Association allowed Hughton to spot initial warning signs, as he fell into a category considered particularly vulnerable – black men over the age of 50 with a familial link to the disease. Further blood tests corroborated the initial findings prior to beginning his care plan.
He underwent the operation to have his prostate removed after receiving comprehensive guidance and exploring all available treatment pathways. Describing his recuperation, he noted it proceeded smoothly and he now feels well, maintaining high energy levels twelve months on from the procedure. He credits both physical activity and mental stimulation as crucial elements of his ongoing recovery.
The gaffer holds iconic standing within the managerial profession, with previous roles at Newcastle United, Norwich City, Birmingham City, Brighton and Hove, and Tottenham Hotspur complementing his time at Nottingham Forest between 2020 and 2021. He guided Brighton to promotion to the Premier League in 2017 and has presided over 169 top-tier fixtures across his tenure at Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton.
His most recent appointment was with Ghana’s national side, concluding in January 2024. The Dublin-born former player, who collected 53 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, had been mentioned in connection with a potential return to Tottenham in a managerial capacity after Igor Tudor’s unsuccessful spell. Instead, the north London club appointed Roberto De Zerbi, who confronts the task of securing the club’s top-flight status during the season’s closing weeks.