Liverpool Seek Fourth Sporting Director as Richard Hughes Steps Down

Liverpool are hunting for a fourth sporting director in as many years after confirming Richard Hughes has stepped down from the role.

The move has been on the cards for months. Hughes, 47, is expected to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and informed Liverpool of his intention to leave early in the year, shortly after his close ally Michael Edwards departed his post as chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

Once Edwards walked away, the dominoes started to fall. Hughes made his position clear, but with Liverpool already deep into planning a pivotal summer window – including the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola – the club opted for continuity. Given his strong working relationship with new head coach Andoni Iraola, all parties agreed Hughes would remain in place until the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool insist there was no approach from Al-Hilal for Hughes to begin work with them during the summer and are satisfied he acted solely in the interests of the Anfield club throughout that period.

The search for his successor is already active. FSG president Mike Gordon, who returned to hands-on control of the club after Edwards’s exit, is leading the process. Whoever comes in will become the fourth man to hold the position since Edwards left as sporting director in 2022, following Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and now Hughes.

Despite the churn at the top of the recruitment department, Liverpool are adamant their wider football structure remains stable. Ward continues as technical director for FSG, with Pedro Marques in place as director of football development at FSG. Assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter and the senior leadership team at the training centre also remain in situ.

The framework is there. The question now is who Liverpool trust to run it.