Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is poised to leave Anfield next summer, with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal looking likely. His current contract expires in June 2027, and BBC Sport understands he is expected to reunite with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at Al Hilal, where Francis now leads transfer activity. Francis replaced Hughes as Bournemouth's technical director when Hughes was hired by Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, in 2024. Al Hilal and Francis are already operating on the basis that Hughes will join.
For now, Hughes remains focused on Liverpool's current transfer window and the forthcoming season — the first under Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after Slot was sacked at the end of last season following a disappointing campaign. Slot had won the Premier League in his first season but could not sustain that success. Hughes himself oversaw Slot's appointment in 2024 after Jurgen Klopp's departure, and had previously recommended Iraola to Bournemouth in 2023 when Hughes was technical director there.
“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is set to leave next summer, likely joining Saudi side Al Hilal.”
Liverpool have already made two signings this summer: French defender Jeremy Jacquet, whose move was secured in January before Iraola's arrival, and Spanish winger Victor Munoz. Midfielder Harvey Elliott is also set to return after his loan spell at Aston Villa expired. The club continue to be linked with Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, but are expected to be disappointed in their pursuit of Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande, who prefers a move to PSG.
This week, Liverpool officially agreed deals with Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper to join Iraola's backroom staff as first-team coaches at Anfield. Pablo de la Torre arrives as an assistant coach — the fourth time he has worked with Iraola at a different club — while Tom Webber, who also worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, will become first-team tactical coach after a decade in performance analysis at the Cherries.
Hughes's expected departure leaves a looming question over Liverpool's long-term sporting direction, even as the club prepares for Iraola's first season in charge.