Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes steps down

Richard Hughes has left Liverpool after two years, ending a short tenure shaped by the club’s transition following Jürgen Klopp’s departure.

Liverpool said Hughes told the board he wanted to pursue a new professional challenge. He joined from Bournemouth and led the football operations department, overseeing transfers and supporting the coaching staff.

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Richard joined the team at the start of a period of change and took on that responsibility, leading the football operations department, overseeing transfers and also providing valuable support to the coaching staff.

Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon credited Hughes with helping deliver the Premier League title in the 2024-25 season and secure Champions League qualification for the following campaign. “Richard joined the team at the start of a period of change and took on that responsibility, leading the football operations department, overseeing transfers and also providing valuable support to the coaching staff,” Gordon said.

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The results we achieved in these areas during this period are testament to his contribution. Nevertheless, we respect his personal choices and wish him, and his family, every success in his next venture.

Hughes chose Arne Slot as Klopp’s successor, a decision that produced immediate results when the Dutch coach guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season. Liverpool also pursued an ambitious transfer plan, signing high-profile players including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike as the club invested heavily to remain at the top.

The tenure also faced criticism over the squad’s balance and depth in certain positions. Liverpool endured a much more difficult 2025-26 season, raising questions about some of Hughes’s expensive transfer choices. Slot was dismissed after the title defence turned into a fight for Champions League qualification. Hughes, whose name has been linked with a possible move to Al-Hilal, thanked Liverpool for the opportunity. “It was a source of great pride for me to be given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. It is something for which I will always be grateful,” he said.

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It was a source of great pride for me to be given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. It is something for which I will always be grateful.