# Liverpool look for new sporting director after Richard Hughes formally leaves

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/liverpool-look-for-new-sporting-director-after-richard-hughes-formally-leaves/
- Published: 2026-09-05T12:12:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-05T18:17:37+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/05/liverpool-new-sporting-director-after-richard-hughes-leaves-fsg
- Topics: Art, Business, Culture, Government, Markets, Middle East, Politics, Sport, World

## Key points

- Richard Hughes has formally left as Liverpool's sporting director
- He is expected to join Saudi club Al-Hilal next
- FSG's Mike Gordon is now leading the search for his replacement

## Summary

Liverpool have confirmed that Richard Hughes has formally stepped down as sporting director, making him the fourth person to leave the role in four years, with FSG president Mike Gordon now leading the search for a successor. Hughes's exit had long been expected: he told the club of his intention to leave earlier this year following the departure of his friend Michael Edwards as chief executive of football for owners Fenway Sports Group, and he is now in line to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

Hughes, 47, agreed to remain in post through the summer transfer window given his close working relationship with new head coach Andoni Iraola and ongoing business, including the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola. Liverpool say no formal approach was received from Al-Hilal for him to start work there this summer and are satisfied he worked solely for them throughout. Any new sporting director will follow Edwards, Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes into the role, while the rest of the football structure stays intact, including Ward as FSG technical director, Pedro Marques as director of football development, assistant sporting director David Woodfine and chief scout Barry Hunter.

## Coverage

- [The Guardian: Liverpool look for new sporting director after Richard Hughes formally leaves](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/05/liverpool-new-sporting-director-after-richard-hughes-leaves-fsg)
- [BBC Sport: Hughes steps down as Liverpool sporting director](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3d7483rv82o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.