Richard Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director who oversaw the appointment and subsequent sacking of Arne Slot, is expected to leave Anfield next summer when his contract expires. The 46-year-old is not expected to sign a new deal beyond June 2027, with sources indicating he is likely to reunite with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Francis replaced Hughes as Bournemouth's technical director when Fenway Sports Group hired Hughes in 2024, and is now leading Al Hilal's transfer activity after leaving the Cherries at the end of last season. Al Hilal and Francis are operating on the basis that Hughes will join them.
“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave next summer when his contract expires, likely joining Al Hilal.”
Hughes's departure would mark the end of a brief but eventful tenure at Liverpool. Appointed by the club's American owners in 2024, he immediately faced the task of replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp. He turned to Slot, who won the Premier League in his first campaign but was sacked at the end of last season after a disappointing campaign.
Now, with Andoni Iraola installed as head coach – a manager Hughes knows well from their time together at Bournemouth, where the Spaniard was appointed on Hughes's advice in 2023 – Liverpool are navigating the current transfer window. The club have already signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet (secured in January before Iraola's arrival) and Spanish winger Victor Munoz this summer. Midfielder Harvey Elliott is also set to return from a loan spell at Aston Villa.
Liverpool continue 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.
Meanwhile, Iraola's backroom staff is taking shape. Liverpool this week officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be first-team coaches at Anfield, while Pablo de la Torre joins as an assistant coach – the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club. Tom Webber, who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, will join as first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis there.
As it stands, Hughes and Liverpool are focused solely on the current transfer window and the forthcoming season. But with his exit looming, the question of who will shape the club's long-term future remains unanswered.