Liverpool Seeks Fourth Sporting Director After Richard Hughes Departure

Liverpool are hunting for a fourth sporting director in as many years after confirming Richard Hughes has left the post.

The 47-year-old’s exit has been on the cards for months. Hughes is expected to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and told Liverpool early in the year that he intended to move on, shortly after his close ally Michael Edwards left his role as chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

Once that decision was made, Liverpool faced a choice: cut ties immediately or let continuity carry them through a crucial window. With major summer business already in motion – including the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola – and Hughes working tightly with new head coach Andoni Iraola, the club opted for stability. He stayed in place until the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool insist there was no approach from Al-Hilal for Hughes to start work this summer and are satisfied he acted solely in their interests throughout the period.

Now the focus turns upstairs again. FSG president Mike Gordon, who returned to hands-on control of the club after Edwards’ departure, is leading the search for Hughes’s successor. Whoever comes in will be the fourth man to hold the job since Edwards stepped down as sporting director in 2022, following Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes.

Despite the churn at the top of the recruitment ladder, Liverpool are adamant the wider football structure stays solid. Ward remains in place as technical director for FSG, with Pedro Marques continuing as director of football development. Assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter and the senior leadership team at the training centre all stay in post.

The names keep changing on the sporting director’s door. The machinery around it, Liverpool insist, does not.