Liverpool look for new sporting director after Richard Hughes formally leaves
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Liverpool have confirmed that Richard Hughes has formally stepped down as sporting director, making him the club's fourth departure from the role in four years, with FSG president Mike Gordon now leading the search for a successor. Hughes's exit had long been expected after he told Liverpool 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.
Hughes, 47, is in line to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, though Liverpool say no formal approach was made for him to start work there this summer, and the club are satisfied he worked solely for them throughout the process. He had agreed to remain in post through the transfer window given his close relationship with new head coach Andoni Iraola and ongoing summer business, including the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola. His successor will follow Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes since Edwards left the role in 2022, while the rest of Liverpool's football structure, including Ward, Pedro Marques, David Woodfine and Barry Hunter, remains unchanged.
- Richard Hughes formally leaves as Liverpool's sporting director.
- Fourth person to hold the role in four years.
- Mike Gordon leads search for replacement; Hughes tipped for Al-Hilal.
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Liverpool's sporting director oversees transfers, contracts and the club's overall football strategy, working alongside the head coach and the ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG). The role has proved a difficult one to fill: since Michael Edwards left it in 2022, three different people have held the job, each departing within a year or two.
Richard Hughes, 47, took over in 2023 and has now left himself, following Edwards's more recent exit from a related senior role at FSG. He is expected to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, though he stayed on at Liverpool through the summer transfer window to help manage incoming deals and support new head coach Andoni Iraola.
FSG president Mike Gordon is now leading the search for a fourth successor in four years, a turnover that has drawn attention to the stability of Liverpool's football operations even as the rest of the club's backroom staff remain in place.
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