Liverpool have appointed Richard Hughes as their new sporting director; the 44-year-old will start his new role on June 1; first task for Hughes will be to find a successor for departing Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who leaves Anfield at the end of the season
Richard Hughes has been confirmed as Liverpool’s new sporting director and will start his new role at the end of this season.
Hughes, 44, spent a decade as Bournemouth’s technical director before recently resigning from his role. This is Michael Edwards’s first appointment since being named Fenway Sports Group’s [FSG] CEO of Football.
Hughes arrives at Liverpool with a proven track record of signing young players – he brought the likes of Nathan Ake, Dominic Solanke, Callum Wilson, and Aaron Ramsdale to Bournemouth. He also speaks three languages and has good contacts in both France and Italy, where he grew up.
Intriguingly, Hughes knows the agent of reported Liverpool managerial target Xabi Alonso, having brought another of his clients, Andoni Iraola, to Bournemouth. He was also reportedly keen for Roberto De Zerbi – another man understood to be on the shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp – to manage Bournemouth.
It is understood that when Julian Ward left his role as Liverpool’s sporting director last summer, Edwards was surprised Hughes was not one of the candidates to be interviewed by club owners FSG.
“I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club, and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity,” Hughes told the club’s website.
“People rightly talk about the rich history this organization can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me.