Hayden Mullins

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Hayden Mullins

| image = Hayden_Mullins_BCFC.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Mullins with Birmingham City during pre-season in 2012

| fullname = Hayden Ian Mullins{{cite book

| editor-first = Barry J.

| editor-last = Hugman

| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11

| year = 2010

| publisher = Mainstream Publishing

| isbn = 978-1-84596-601-0

| page = 299 }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|3|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Reading, England

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| youthyears1 = 1996–1998

| youthclubs1 = Crystal Palace

| years1 = 1998–2003

| clubs1 = Crystal Palace

| caps1 = 222

| goals1 = 18

| years2 = 2003

| clubs2 = → West Ham United (loan)

| caps2 = 1

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2003–2009

| clubs3 = West Ham United

| caps3 = 179

| goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2009–2012

| clubs4 = Portsmouth

| caps4 = 114

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2012

| clubs5 = → Reading (loan)

| caps5 = 7

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2012–2014

| clubs6 = Birmingham City

| caps6 = 36

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2014

| clubs7 = → Notts County (loan)

| caps7 = 16

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2014–2015

| clubs8 = Notts County

| caps8 = 32

| goals8 = 0

| totalcaps = 607

| totalgoals = 28

| nationalyears1 = 1999

| nationalteam1 = England U21

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2016–2020

| managerclubs1 = Watford U23s

| manageryears2 = 2019

| managerclubs2 = Watford (caretaker)

| manageryears3 = 2020

| managerclubs3 = Watford (caretaker)

| manageryears4 = 2021–2022

| managerclubs4 = Colchester United

| manageryears5 = 2023

| managerclubs5 = Turks and Caicos Islands

| manageryears6 = 2023–

| managerclubs6 = Fulham U21s

}}

Hayden Ian Mullins (born 27 March 1979) is an English former professional footballer and current manager. He played primarily as a defensive midfielder, but he also played as a sweeper and at right-back. He is currently the U21 Head Coach at Fulham.

Mullins began his career with First Division side Crystal Palace in 1996, and signed his first professional contract with the club in 1998. He quickly established himself in the first team, and made 257 senior appearances for Palace in five seasons. In October 2003, he switched to First Division side West Ham United, initially on a short-term loan, which quickly turned into a permanent transfer. He remained at the club for five and a half years, making 213 appearances, before joining Premier League side Portsmouth in January 2009. He made 129 appearances for Portsmouth, but the club's financial difficulties meant that he joined Championship side Reading on loan in March 2012. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Mullins left Portsmouth, and joined Birmingham City on a free transfer. After two years, during which he also spent time on loan at Notts County, Birmingham confirmed he would be released when his contract expired at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Mullins made three appearances for the England under-21 squad in 1999. After retiring, he became under-23 manager of Watford in 2016, and was twice their interim manager.

Playing career

=Crystal Palace=

Mullins was born in Reading, Berkshire. He joined Crystal Palace as a trainee in August 1996,{{cite news |last=Edworthy |first=Sarah |title=FA Cup on the Spot: Julian Gray & Hayden Mullins |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=14 February 2003 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2396232/FA-Cup-On-The-Spot-Julian-Gray-and-Hayden-Mullins.html |access-date=5 September 2012}} and made his first-team debut in July 1998, at the age of 19, in the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup matches against Turkish club Samsunspor.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=52916/profile/history/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131028132626/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=52916/profile/history/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2013 |title=Crystal Palace FC |publisher=UEFA |access-date=28 October 2013}} Head coach Terry Venables gave him his domestic debut in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers in August 1998, and he scored his first senior goal in a 3–1 away defeat to Birmingham City a week later. He immediately established himself in the first team, made 45 league and cup appearances in the 1998–99 season, was named Player of The Year,{{cite web |title=Hayden Mullins |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427041003/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/PalaceLegendsK-O/0,,10323~676770,00.html |archive-date=27 April 2009|url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/PalaceLegendsK-O/0,,10323~676770,00.html}} and was capped for the England under-18 team.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Mullins later acknowledged his debt to Venables, saying, "I learnt a lot from him. He took a lot of time with us on the training pitch. He taught us a lot about shape and formation, he's very detailed in that respect. He's very good man on man, he made me feel totally comfortable he didn't pressure me into it at all."

Financial difficulties meant that Crystal Palace were unable to make new signings for the 1999–2000 season and relied on youngsters such as Mullins and Clinton Morrison and veterans such as Andy Linighan as they successfully battled against relegation from the First Division.{{cite news |title=Coppell pulls off Palace miracle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/791049.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} Mullins made 49 league and cup appearances in that season and a further 51 appearances in the 2000–01 season as Palace reached the semi-final of the League Cup, but narrowly escaped relegation.{{cite news |title=Red-hot Liverpool steam through |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/1134428.stm |access-date=5 September 2012}}{{cite news |title=Palace survive at Stockport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/1311009.stm |access-date=5 September 2012}} He was transfer listed in October 2000, due to what manager Alan Smith described as a "bad attitude", but was taken off the list and was offered and signed a new four-year contract two months later as his relationship with Smith improved.{{cite news |first=Leo |last=Spall |title=Palace gem Mullins regains his sparkle |work=Evening Standard |date=19 December 2000 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/palace-gem-mullins-regains-his-sparkle-6357298.html |access-date=17 October 2013}} Smith said of him in January 2001, "He's a really good footballer which means I can play him in any position. I like my young players to play in different positions. This season he's played full-back, midfield and sweeper. [We've] got to work on his defending, but he's got pace, he has good vision and he wants to play football."{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Longmore |title =Football: Mullins' quality has to be believed |work=The Independent |date=21 January 2001 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:TND1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=132A8C78F7941A88&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |format=reprint hosted at Newsbank |access-date=3 September 2012}}

Mullins made a total of 47 appearances in league and cup in the 2001–02 season as Palace made an ultimately unsuccessful push for the First Division play-off places.{{cite news |title=Mullins targets play-offs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/1817153.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} He was made captain in the 2002–03 season by manager Trevor Francis, who saw him as an integral part of the squad.{{cite news |title=Mullins bid rejected |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/2643785.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} He made 52 league and cup appearances as Palace advanced to the quarter-final of the League Cup,{{cite news |title=Blades' dream lives on |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/2579885.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} as well as recording a memorable 2–0 win over Liverpool in an FA Cup fourth round replay at Anfield.{{cite news |title=Palace stun Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/2708843.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} He was named Player of The Year for a second time in 2003.

An offer of £600,000 from Birmingham City in January 2003 was rejected as "derisory". With one year remaining on his existing contract, Mullins turned down the offer of a new contract in May. His agent said, "It is no secret that Hayden believes he will not be able to fulfil his true potential at Palace. If the club wishes to get some financial reward for their role in his up bringing, then they need to sell him this summer."{{cite news |title =Mullins on his way out |work=Croydon Guardian |date=28 May 2003 |url=http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/sport/301073.mullins_on_his_way_out/ |access-date=17 October 2013}} The following October, he joined West Ham United.{{cite news |title=Pardew makes Mullins swoop |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/3204589.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} Mullins made over 250 league and cup appearances for Palace, scoring 20 goals.

=West Ham United=

File:Hayden mullins.jpg

Mullins was the first signing for West Ham's newly appointed manager, Alan Pardew, and initially joined on a short-term loan to enable him to play against Nottingham Forest on the same day.{{cite news |title=Forest spoil Pardew party |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 October 2003 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2423832/Forest-spoil-Pardew-party.html |access-date=5 September 2012 |first=Martin |last=Smith}} The deal was made permanent a day later for a fee of £600,000, rising to £800,000 should West Ham be promoted.{{cite web |title=Alan's second signing |publisher=West Ham United F.C |date=23 October 2003 |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20031023/alans-second-signing_2236884_1136243 |access-date=5 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018051537/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20031023/alans-second-signing_2236884_1136243 |archive-date=18 October 2013}}{{cite news |title=Mullins heads for West Ham |work=Croydon Guardian |first=Neil |last=McSteen |date=30 October 2003 |url=http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/sport/427751.mullins_heads_for_west_ham/ |access-date=17 October 2013}} Pardew said of him, "...I have captured a player that I feel is going to add significantly to us. [He] can play in various positions and give us cover in a number of those [...] I think ultimately he is a central midfield player for us and I think his energy will be important; he will have to battle in the midfield. He is someone we are going to look to when we are up against it, to win the battle and give the room to [other players] to play. He is very much a destroyer and I think we are desperate for one of those."

Mullins made 34 league and cup appearances in his first season for West Ham, helping them to the First Division play-off final in May 2004, where they were beaten by a single goal to nil by Mullins' former club Crystal Palace.{{cite news |title=Crystal Palace 1–0 West Ham |publisher =BBC Sport |date=29 May 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/3750773.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} The following season, Mullins made 45 league and cup appearances as West Ham again reached the play-off final, this time beating Preston North End 1–0 to win promotion to the Premier League.{{cite news |title=West Ham 1–0 Preston |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/4573799.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}}

West Ham exceeded expectations in the 2005–06 season, finishing in a mid-table position and reaching the FA Cup final, which was won by Liverpool 3–1 on penalties.{{cite web |first=Stuart |last=Mawhinney |title=Reds in seventh heaven |publisher=The Football Association |date=13 May 2006 |url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/2009/FACF06_MatchReport |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110606081833/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/2009/FACF06_MatchReport |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 June 2011 }} Mullins, having made 42 appearances in that season, was suspended for the final along with Liverpool's Luis García, after the pair had been sent off in a league fixture a few weeks earlier and an appeal against his dismissal was rejected by the Football Association.{{cite news |title=Mullins & Garcia out of Cup final |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/4949444.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} Pardew said, "I feel very aggrieved and very upset because Hayden has had a fantastic season. He has been one of our best players. He was my first signing here, I'm very proud of him, of what he has done and achieved."

At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, West Ham completed the signing of Argentine international Javier Mascherano who, like Mullins, was a defensive midfielder.{{cite news |title=West Ham sign Tevez & Mascherano |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/5301068.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} However, after a brief period on the bench, Mullins re-established himself in the first team and scored the winning goal, in a 2–1 home win over Blackburn Rovers in October 2006, which put an end to the worst run of results for West Ham in 74 years.{{cite news |title=Pardew humiliated after cup exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 October 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/6082588.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}}{{cite news |title=West Ham 2–1 Blackburn |publisher=BBC Sport |first=John |last=Sinnott |date=29 October 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/6072880.stm |access-date=5 September 2012}}

Mullins made 32 league and cup appearances in the 2006–07 season as West Ham narrowly escaped relegation.{{cite news |title=Man Utd 0–1 West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Howard |last=Nurse |date=13 May 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/6627803.stm |access-date=8 September 2007}} On 1 November 2008, he scored his first league goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. It was his first league goal for two years.

Mullins made a total of 213 appearances for West Ham United, netting seven goals.

=Portsmouth=

File:HaydenMullinsPortsmouth2011.jpg

On 25 January 2009, Mullins joined Portsmouth on a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news |title=Portsmouth sign Mullins and Pele |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/7850798.stm |access-date=26 January 2009}} He started the 2010 FA Cup final in an unfamiliar left-back role as Portsmouth were narrowly beaten 1–0 by Chelsea.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8680493.stm |title=Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=21 April 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/7729006/FA-Cup-final-Chelsea-v-Portsmouth-how-the-players-rated.html |title=FA Cup final: Chelsea v Portsmouth how the players rated |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=15 May 2010 |access-date=21 April 2016}}

Portsmouth were relegated at the end of the season, but Mullins stayed at the Fratton Park side and took number 8 for the 2010–11 season after captain Marc Wilson was given number 6. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Bristol City on 28 September 2010.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/9031763.stm |title=Portsmouth 3–1 Bristol City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=5 September 2012}} He was voted Portsmouth Player of the Season for the 2010–11 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Mullins-Wins-Player-Of-The-Season-2146.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324133751/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Mullins-Wins-Player-Of-The-Season-2146.aspx |archive-date=24 March 2012 |title=Mullins wins Player of the Season |publisher= Portsmouth F.C.|date=2 May 2011 |access-date=17 October 2013}}

==Loan to Reading==

On 15 March 2012, Mullins signed for Reading on loan for the 2011–12 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17381803 |title=Reading sign midfielder Hayden Mullins from Portsmouth |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2012 |access-date=5 September 2012}} He made seven appearances for Reading as they were promoted to the Premier League.

=Birmingham City and loan to Notts County=

On 12 July 2012, Mullins signed for Birmingham City on a two-year contract on a free transfer.{{cite news |title=Hayden Mullins signs for Birmingham City from Portsmouth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football-18812030 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 July 2012}} He made his debut in the League Cup first round against Barnet,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-5-barnet-1-190359 |title=Birmingham City 5 Barnet 1 |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=17 October 2013}} and kept his place for the opening match of the 2012–13 season, a 1–1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19221628 |title=Birmingham 1–1 Charlton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012}} He scored his first goal for Birmingham in a 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest on 15 September.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19528039 |title=Nottm Forest 2–2 Birmingham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2012 |access-date=5 January 2013}}

On 31 January 2014, Mullins joined Notts County on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web |title=Hayden Mullins arrives from Birmingham |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/hayden-mullins-arrives-from-birmingham-1331259.aspx |publisher=Notts County F.C. |date=31 January 2014 |access-date=2 February 2014}} He made his debut the next day as a second-half substitute as County lost 2–0 away to Preston North End. With one match of County's season remaining, Mullins was recalled by Birmingham to cover for the injured Tom Thorpe.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27187661 |title=Birmingham City recall Hayden Mullins from Notts County |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=28 April 2014}} Playing at centre back, he made a crucial clearance in the final game, away at Bolton Wanderers, that contributed to Birmingham City retaining their Championship status via Paul Caddis' stoppage-time equaliser.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bolton-2-blues-2-colin-7068206 |title=Bolton 2 Blues 2 |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014}} Birmingham confirmed he would be released when his contract expired at the end of the 2013–14 season. He finished his Birmingham career having scored twice in 39 appearances in all competitions.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140509-paul-robinson-and-olly-lee-extend-blues-stay-as-six-depart-1544099.aspx |title=Paul Robinson and Olly Lee extend Blues stay as six depart |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=10 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214943/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140509-paul-robinson-and-olly-lee-extend-blues-stay-as-six-depart-1544099.aspx |archive-date=12 May 2014}}

=Notts County=

On 5 June 2014, Mullins rejoined Notts County on a one-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/hayden-mullins-pens-notts-county-contract-after-leaving-birmingham-city-1612252.aspx |title=Hayden Mullins pens Notts County contract after leaving Birmingham City |date=5 June 2014 |access-date= 5 June 2014}}

International career

Mullins made three appearances for the England under-21 team in 1999, against Poland in March, Hungary in April and Bulgaria in June.{{cite web |title=England's under-21 matches featuring Black players |publisher=England Football Online |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamBlack/PlyrsBlckMtchUsage/PlyrsBlackU21.html |access-date=8 September 2007}}

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Mullins joined Reading in a role that saw him oversee the development of the club's players who were out on loan.{{cite web|title=Gaffer keeping a 'close eye' on promotion-hunting loanees|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/brian-mcdermott-promotion-hunting-loanees-3072800.aspx |website=readingfc.co.uk|publisher=Reading F.C.|access-date=21 April 2016|date=21 April 2016}} In July 2016, he joined Watford as assistant to under-21 coach Harry Kewell,{{cite news|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/2016-17/160715-hayden-mullins-watford-fc-under-21-assistant-coach-3187926.aspx|title=Official: Mullins named under-21 assistant coach|website=Watford F.C.|date=15 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}} later progressing to management of the under-23 team.{{cite web| url=http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/december/29-december/where-are-they-now-night-hammers-dethroned-champions| title=Where are they now? The night the Hammers dethroned the champions|website=West Ham United F.C.| date=29 December 2017| access-date=29 December 2017}} In December 2019, Mullins was named as temporary manager of Watford after Quique Sánchez Flores was sacked.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50631707|title=Watford place Hayden Mullins in temporary charge after Quique Sanchez Flores sacking |website=BBC Sport|date=2 December 2019|access-date=3 December 2019}} He managed two games as interim manager; a 2–0 away defeat by Leicester City and a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50568386|title=Leicester 2-0 Watford: Jamie Vardy and James Maddison on target|work=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2019}} Mullins took charge against Crystal Palace while newly appointed manager, Nigel Pearson watched from the stands.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50611311|title=Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace: Disappointing stalemate at Vicarage Road|work=BBC Sport |date=7 December 2019}}

In July 2020, he was again placed in temporary charge following the dismissal of manager Pearson.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/nigel-pearson-leaves-watford-role-with-hayden-mullins-taking-interim-charge/|title=Nigel Pearson leaves Watford role with Hayden Mullins taking interim charge|agency=Press Association|date=19 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53464251|title=Watford sack Nigel Pearson with club just above relegation zone|work=BBC Sport |date=19 July 2020}} His first game in charge following Pearson's dismissal resulted in a 0–4 defeat to Manchester City. This result, coupled with Aston Villa's win later the same day, dropped Watford into 18th place in the league and a relegation position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53399056|title=Watford 0-4 Man City: Raheem Sterling deepens Hornets' drop fears|work=BBC Sport |date=21 July 2020}} Watford were relegated to the Championship on the last day of the season following a 3–2 defeat by Arsenal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/18608578.watford-relegated-championship---went-wrong/|title=The key questions as Watford are relegated to the Sky Bet Championship|website=Watford Observer}} On 1 September 2020 he left the club.{{Cite press release|title=Official: Mullins Departs|date=1 September 2020|publisher=Watford|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/club/official-mullins-departs|access-date=2 September 2020}}

On 3 September 2020, Mullins was announced as assistant head coach to Steve Ball at Colchester United.{{cite web |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2020/september/hayden-mullins/ |title=Mullins Teams Up With Ball |date=3 September 2020 |last=Gregory |first=David |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=22 September 2020 }} In February 2021, Ball was replaced by Wayne Brown as first team coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2021/february/club-update/|title=Brown Steps In|website=www.cu-fc.com}} After a run of poor results, Brown was in-turn replaced by Mullins on 31 March 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56589719|title=Mullins named Colchester interim boss|work=BBC Sport }} On 13 May 2021, Mullins was appointed head coach of Colchester on a permanent basis.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2021/may/hayden-mullins-head-coach/|title=Mullins Gets Head Coach Role|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=13 May 2021}}

On 19 January 2022, Mullins was sacked as head coach after a run of poor results.{{cite web|url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2022/january/club-statement/|title=Club Statement|website=www.cu-fc.com|date=19 January 2022}}

He coached the Turks and Caicos Islands national football team in March 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/features/hayden-mullins-memories-crystal-palace-west-ham/|title='Palace is a special place' – Mullins' memories of south and east London - News|date=28 April 2023|website=Crystal Palace F.C.}}

On 26 July 2023, Mullins was unveiled as the new U21 Head Coach at Fulham.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-07-26 |title=Mullins Appointed U21 Head Coach |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/july/26/Mullins-Appointed-U21-Head-Coach/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Fulham FC}} On 16 May 2024, he led Fulham U21s to the Premier League Cup, defeating Tottenham Hotspur U21s 4–0 in the final.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-16 |title=Fulham U21 4-0 Tottenham U21 |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/may/16/Fulham-U21-4-0-Tottenham-U21/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Fulham FC}}

Career statistics

rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|FA Cup !colspan=2\|League Cup !colspan=2\|Other !colspan=2\|Total
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan=7\|Crystal Palace \|1998–99{{soccerbase season\|10560\|1998\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division \|40	5	1	0	4	0	2{{efn\|Appearances in the UEFA Intertoto Cup}}	0	47	5
1999–2000{{soccerbase season\|10560\|1999\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division	45	10	1	0	3	1	colspan=2\|—	49	11
2000–01{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2000\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division	41	1	2	0	8	0	colspan=2\|—	51	1
2001–02{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2001\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division	43	0	1	0	3	0	colspan=2\|—	47	0
2002–03{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2002\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division	43	2	4	0	5	1	colspan=2\|—	52	3
2003–04{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2003\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|First Division	10	0	colspan=2\|—	1	0	colspan=2\|—	11	0
colspan=2\|Total !222	18	9	0	24	2	2	0	257	20
rowspan=7\|West Ham United \|2003–04 \|First Division \|27	0	4	1	colspan=2\|—	3{{efn\|Appearances in the Football League First Division play-offs}}	0	34	1
2004–05{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2004\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Championship \|37	1	3	0	2	0	3{{efn\|Appearances in the Football League Championship play-offs}}	0	45	1
2005–06{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2005\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Premier League	35	0	6	1	1	0	colspan=2\|—	42	1
2006–07{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2006\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Premier League \|30	2	1	1	1	0	0{{efn\|Appearances in the UEFA Cup: Mullins was an unused substitute}}	0	32	3
2007–08{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2007\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Premier League	34	0	1	0	4	0	colspan=2\|—	39	0
2008–09{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2008\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Premier League	17	1	2	0	2	0	colspan=2\|—	21	1
colspan=2\|Total !180	4	17	3	10	0	6	0	213	7
rowspan=5\|Portsmouth \|2008–09 \|Premier League	17	0	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	17	0
2009–10{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2009\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Premier League	18	0	6	0	3	0	colspan=2\|—	27	0
2010–11{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2010\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Championship	45	2	1	0	3	0	colspan=2\|—	49	2
2011–12{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2011\|access-date=4 September 2012}} \|Championship	34	1	1	0	1	0	colspan=2\|—	36	1
colspan=2\|Total !114	3	8	0	7	0	0	0	129	3
Reading (loan) \|2011–12 \|Championship	7	0	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	7	0
rowspan=3\|Birmingham City \|2012–13{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2012\|access-date=29 April 2013}} \|Championship	28	2	0	0	2	0	colspan=2\|—	30	2
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2013\|access-date=12 May 2014}} \|Championship	8	0	1	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	9	0
colspan=2\|Total !36\|\|2\|\|1\|\|0\|\|2\|\|0\|\|colspan=2\|—\|\|39\|\|2
Notts County (loan) \|2013–14 \|League One	16	1	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	16	1
rowspan=2\|Notts County \|2014–15{{soccerbase season\|10560\|2014\|access-date=7 June 2015}} \|League One	32	0	1	0	1	0	1{{efn\|Appearances in the Football League Trophy}}	0	35	0
colspan=2\|Total !48\|\|1\|\|1\|\|0\|\|1\|\|0\|\|1\|\|0\|\|51\|\|1
colspan=3\|Career total !607	28	36	3	44	2	9	0	696	33

Managerial statistics

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
rowspan=2 align=left\|Watford (caretaker) \|align=left\|2 December 2019 \|align=left\|7 December 2019 {{WDL\|2\|0\|1\|1\|decimals=1}} \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=5344 \|title=Hayden Mullins managerial statistics \|website=Soccerbase \|access-date=4 December 2019}}{{failed verification\|date=July 2020}}
align=left\|19 July 2020 \|align=left\|26 July 2020 {{WDL\|2\|0\|0\|2\|decimals=1}} \|
align=left\|Colchester United \|align=left\|31 March 2021 \|align=left\|19 January 2022 {{WDL\|40\|11\|11\|18\|decimals=1}} \|
colspan=3\|Total {{WDLtot\|44\|11\|12\|21\|decimals=1}} !—

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

rowspan=2 align=left|Watford (caretaker)

|align=left|2 December 2019

|align=left|7 December 2019

|{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=5344 |title=Hayden Mullins managerial statistics |website=Soccerbase |access-date=4 December 2019}}{{failed verification|date=July 2020}}

align=left|19 July 2020

|align=left|26 July 2020

align=left|Colchester United

|align=left|31 March 2021

|align=left|19 January 2022

colspan=3|Total

!—

Honours

= As a player =

Portsmouth

FA Cup runner-up: 2009–10

= As a coach =

Fulham U21

Premier League Cup: 2023–24{{Cite web |title=Fulham U21 v Spurs U21, 2023/24 {{!}} Premier League Cup |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/114704/premier-league-2/2023-24/fulham-u21-v-spurs-u21 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.premierleague.com |language=en}}