Richard Hughes, 47, has stepped down as Liverpool sporting director and is expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a similar role. Hughes worked at Anfield for two and a half years after being appointed in March 2024 and guided the club through the recent summer transfer window. He picked Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement and Liverpool won the title in Slot’s first campaign; the team then faced difficulties in the second season following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and further squad changes. During Hughes’s tenure Liverpool spent about 700 million on incomings and recouped around 50 million through sales, lowering the squad age by signing players including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Links between Hughes and Al Hilal were reported last year; senior Fenway Sports Group figures said there had been no concern over his commitment during the transfer window. FSG president Mike Gordon will lead Liverpool’s search for a replacement, with internal candidates likely to include Julian Ward, assistant sporting director David Woodfine and director of football development Pedro Marques.
