Richard Hughes steps down as Liverpool sporting director
Liverpool FC has confirmed the departure of Richard Hughes from his role as sporting director. Hughes, who joined the club in June 2024 from AFC Bournemouth, has informed the club’s ownership of his decision to seek a new challenge. His departure comes after approximately two years in the position.
During his tenure, Liverpool secured their 20th league title in the 2024-25 season and achieved Champions League qualification in the subsequent season. The club acknowledged these achievements as a testament to his contributions.
Hughes’s Tenure and Achievements
Hughes’s time at Anfield saw significant success for the club. Under his leadership in football operations and recruitment, Liverpool secured a Premier League title, marking their second in the league’s history and their twentieth top-flight crown overall. Additionally, the team reached the Champions League in both seasons of his involvement.
Fenway Sports Group president, Mike Gordon, expressed gratitude for Hughes’s service. Gordon noted that Hughes joined Liverpool during a period of change and embraced the responsibility of leading the football operations department, overseeing recruitment, and providing support to the coaching staff. Gordon stated that the results achieved during this period reflect Hughes’s significant contribution. The club respects his decision to pursue new ventures and extended best wishes to him and his family.
Hughes himself conveyed his pride in having served the institution, a sentiment he reiterated from his arrival. He expressed gratitude to the ownership for their support and leadership, to the club staff at all levels for their dedication, to the players for their contributions, and to the fans for their unwavering support. He affirmed his continued affection and support for the club, wishing everyone involved success for the current season and beyond.
Future Plans and Succession
While Liverpool’s official statement did not specify Hughes’s next move, press reports have indicated that he is expected to take up a similar sporting director role at Saudi club Al-Hilal. Speculation suggests this move would occur following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, which ended recently. Reports also suggest that Al-Hilal had already made arrangements with members of Hughes’s working staff, including Simon Francis, who managed operations for the Saudi club during the recent summer market.
Hughes had reportedly informed Liverpool of his intention to leave earlier in the year, following the departure of Michael Edwards as chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group. Despite his impending departure, Hughes maintained a close working relationship with the new head coach, Andoni Iraola, and continued in his role until the end of the transfer window, overseeing summer transfer targets, including the signing of Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool has stated that no approach was received from Al-Hilal for Hughes to commence work with them during the summer, and the club is satisfied that he worked exclusively for them throughout this period. The search for Hughes’s successor is already in progress and is being led by Mike Gordon. The new appointment will be the fourth sporting director for Liverpool in four years, following Edwards, Julian Ward, and Jörg Schmadtke.
The club’s broader football structure is expected to remain intact. This includes Julian Ward as technical director for FSG, Pedro Marques as director of football development at FSG, assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter, and the senior leadership team at the training centre. The process of appointing a new sporting director is underway, and an announcement will be made in due course.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
