Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes quits membership after switch window ends
Liverpool have confirmed Richard Hughes has left his role as sporting director after less than three years with the controversial figure strongly linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal
Richard Hughes has left Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool have announced Richard Hughes has quit his job as the club’s sporting director after less than three years in the role.
Hughes’ departure from the Premier League giants just days after the summer transfer window ended had been widely anticipated, given strong and persistent rumours linking him with leaving one of the biggest clubs in world football for a lucrative position at Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal. Earlier this year, Hughes notified Liverpool of his intention to leave, a decision that came on the heels of long-time colleague Michael Edwards’ choice to step down from his role as chief executive of football at Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, last autumn, reports the Liverpool Echo.
And the former Bournemouth sporting director’s exit follows a controversial tenure, which began with huge success when he appointed manager Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, before the Dutch coach went on to win the Premier League in his first season, but then nosedived as Hughes oversaw the dismantling of that same title winning squad and an expensive revamp that failed badly and eventually led to Slot being sacked at the end of the last campaign.
Richard Hughes, sporting director and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at Liverpool(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
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Hughes has supervised the acquisition of more than £700million worth of fresh talent, with the club transfer record shattered twice last summer through the signings of Florian Wirtz and subsequently Alexander Isak, yet the expensive signings have so far failed to live up to their potential and last season the Reds finished an unimpressive fifth place.
According to the Echo, Liverpool have already initiated the search for a replacement, a process being spearheaded by FSG president Mike Gordon, who has once again taken up day-to-day management of the club following Edwards’ exit earlier this year.
FSG are also contemplating the future structure of the Reds, during which time Gordon will act as the key decision-maker for the ownership. The other senior members of Liverpool’s football operations department will continue in their current roles,
The groundwork already laid for transfer deals – most notably with £123m signing Bradley Barcola – meant it was agreed that Hughes would stay in his role until the conclusion of the recent window.
Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot with sporting director Richard Hughes(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
The relationship between Hughes and new head coach Andoni Iraola – whom he hired at Bournemouth – was another factor contributing to the timing of the change.
Hughes said in a statement: “First and foremost, I would like to reiterate what I said upon my arrival – it has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. That is something I will always be grateful for.
“My appreciation extends to ownership for their support and leadership, to club staff at all levels who give so much to make Liverpool FC what it is, to the players who make such an enormous contribution and to the fans who support the team in great numbers whenever and wherever games take place.
“I’ll always follow and support the club with great affection, and I wish everyone involved nothing but success for this season and beyond.”
Gordon said: “Richard joined us at the start of a period of change, embracing that responsibility by leading our football operations department and overseeing recruitment while also providing valuable support to our coaching staff.
“The results we achieved in these areas during this period are testament to this contribution. Nevertheless, we respect Richard’s life choices and wish him and his family well in their next venture.”
Liverpool are also content that Hughes worked exclusively for the club during the time since informing them of his planned departure, with the outgoing sporting director having at no stage sought or offered permission to work for any other organisation.
Hughes was named as Liverpool sporting director upon penning a three-year contract in 2024 and played a key role in bringing Arne Slot to the club as head coach, before the club lifted a record-equalling 20th league title.
