Richard Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director who oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot and then his sacking, is expected to leave the club next summer — bound for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
Hughes’s current contract expires in June 2027, and BBC Sport understands he is likely to link up with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at the Saudi Pro League club. Francis has already left Bournemouth and is leading Al Hilal’s transfer activity, operating on the basis that Hughes will join.
“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave for Al Hilal next summer when his contract expires.”
The departure would mark the end of a brief but eventful tenure at Anfield. Hughes was hired by Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, in 2024 after leaving Bournemouth, where he had been technical director. He recommended the appointment of Slot as head coach following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, and Slot went on to win the Premier League in his first campaign. But the Dutchman was sacked at the end of last season after a disappointing campaign.
Now Andoni Iraola — another manager Hughes previously worked with — has taken over. Hughes had advised Bournemouth to appoint Iraola in 2023, and the Spaniard became Liverpool head coach this summer. This week, Liverpool officially agreed deals for Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to join Iraola’s backroom staff as first-team coaches, with Pablo de la Torre arriving as an assistant coach for the fourth time alongside Iraola. Tom Webber, who worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, will also join as first-team tactical coach.
On the pitch, Liverpool have signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet — secured in January before Iraola’s arrival — and Spanish winger Victor Munoz this summer. Midfielder Harvey Elliott is set to return after his loan spell at Aston Villa expired. The club continues to be linked with attackers including Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, but are set to be disappointed in their pursuit of Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande, who prefers a move to PSG this summer.
As it stands, Hughes and Liverpool are focused solely on the current transfer window and the forthcoming season, the first under Iraola. But with his expected exit next year, the club faces the prospect of finding a new sporting director — one who may not have the same close ties to the manager.