Richard Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director who appointed Arne Slot and then watched him sacked after a disappointing second season, is expected to leave Anfield next summer to join Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
Hughes's current contract expires in June 2027 and he is not expected to sign a new deal, with BBC Sport understanding he is likely to link up with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at Al Hilal. Francis, who replaced Hughes as Bournemouth's technical director after Hughes was hired by Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group in 2024, is already leading Al Hilal's transfer activity having left the Cherries at the end of the season.
“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is expected to leave next summer to join Saudi club Al Hilal.”
For now, Hughes and Liverpool are focused solely on the current transfer window and the forthcoming season – the first for Andoni Iraola, who replaced Slot. Iraola and Hughes know each other well; Hughes recommended Iraola for the Bournemouth head coach job in 2023.
Liverpool have signed French defender Jeremy Jacquet – his signature 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. The club continue to be linked with 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.
Slot won the Premier League in his first campaign but was sacked at the end of last season after a disappointing campaign. Liverpool this week have officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to be part of Iraola's backroom staff as first-team coaches, 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 worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, will also join as first-team tactical coach.
Hughes's departure would leave a significant hole in Liverpool's football operations, with Al Hilal already operating on the basis that he will join them.