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Hughes exits Anfield
Liverpool confirmed that sporting director Richard Hughes has stepped down and is set to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, after leaving his role at Anfield.
“Hughes had only been at the club since June 2024”
The BBC said Hughes had been at the club since June 2024, after moving from a similar position at Bournemouth, and that his exit was expected with his contract set to expire in June 2027.
Hughes, 47, arrived at Anfield after the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp and was instrumental in the appointment of his successor, Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to a 20th Premier League title in his first season as manager.
Liverpool’s transition also comes with a change in leadership at Fenway Sports Group, with Mike Gordon, president of the Fenway Sports Group which owns Liverpool, quoted saying, "We respect Richard's life choices and wish him and his family well in their next venture."
The BBC added that Hughes oversaw the £125m record signing of Alexander Isak last summer and the £116m arrival of Florian Wirtz, before Slot was replaced by Andoni Iraola.
Transfer windows and quotes
The BBC said Hughes oversaw transfer spending of about £200m in the summer, including the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain.
In a statement released by Liverpool, Hughes said, "I'll always follow and support the club with great affection, and I wish everyone involved nothing but success for this season and beyond," as he prepared to move to Al-Hilal.
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The Liverpool Offside described Hughes as departing after being brought along by Michael Edwards to oversee a transition after Jürgen Klopp’s exit, and it said Hughes was expected to join the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal.
That same Liverpool Offside account tied Hughes’s tenure to on-pitch outcomes, saying Liverpool won the league in the 2024-25 season under Arne Slot, while also noting Slot was sacked 12 months later.
talkSPORT reported that Hughes’s exit followed the departure of Michael Edwards as FSG's CEO of Football at Anfield, and said a succession plan is being led by Mike Gordon.
Al-Hilal move and search
The BBC reported that Al-Hilal spent almost £180m signing Premier League players in the summer transfer window, including Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal for £60m and England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in a £51m deal.
“Al-Hilal spent almost £180m signing Premier League players”
The BBC also said Al-Hilal, managed by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, secured the services of Netherlands midfielder Cyrenscio Summerville from West Ham for £60m.
Liverpool’s internal reshuffle is reflected in the Guardian’s account that the search for Hughes’s replacement is already under way and is being led by FSG’s president, Mike Gordon, who resumed the day-to-day running of the club after Edwards’ exit.
The Guardian added that Liverpool are searching for a fourth sporting director in four years after confirming Hughes has stepped down, and it said the eventual appointment will follow the footsteps of Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes since Edwards left the role in 2022.
The Guardian also said Liverpool’s football structure will otherwise remain intact, naming Ward as technical director for FSG and Pedro Marques as director of football development at FSG, alongside assistant sporting director David Woodfine and chief scout Barry Hunter.