Liverpool seeks new sporting director after Richard Hughes departs

Richard Hughes has left Liverpool to join Al-Hilal, prompting the club to begin a swift search for a new sporting director overseen by Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.

Hughes joined Liverpool in summer 2024 and managed the appointments of Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before informing the club earlier this year of his intention to move to Saudi Arabia. He took recruitment staff members Mark Burchill and Craig McKee with him.

Liverpool will consider internal candidates but have not ruled out external appointments, with the preferred profile being someone committed for the long term.

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David Woodfine, Hughes’ former assistant and ex-director of loans, is a potential internal candidate and was pictured showing Iraola the AXA Training Centre when the coach arrived in June. Julian Ward, Liverpool’s sporting director from 2022–23 who is now FSG technical director, is another option. Pedro Marques, FSG’s director of football development and former Benfica technical director, is also listed among possible candidates. Outside Anfield, Luis Campos at Paris St-Germain is noted as a strong but unlikely external target.

Incoming responsibilities for the new sporting director include contract decisions for key players. Goalkeeper Alisson and captain Virgil van Dijk are both out of contract next season, and Liverpool have previously resisted outgoing offers for Alisson; the club consider Alisson their best option in goal despite him not being at his absolute peak. Lucca Brughmans is due to arrive next summer from Genk in a deal worth up to €30m, while Giorgi Mamardashvili remains an option who has yet to fully convince.

In defence, van Dijk has featured in every minute of Liverpool’s league campaign so far at age 35 and continues to be regarded as one of Europe’s top centre-backs. Young defenders Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye are highlighted as prospects who could benefit from van Dijk’s presence.

Midfield depth is described as acceptable by coach Andoni Iraola despite no summer arrivals following Curtis Jones’ move to Inter Milan. Trey Nyoni has been trusted to take a larger role after standing out on the pre-season tour. Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister carry significant workload risks should injuries occur. Liverpool scanned Monaco’s Lamine Camara but were not open to buying a midfielder in the summer; Mac Allister’s contract runs until 2028 with no public talks over an extension.

In attack, Hughes’ recruitment included Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola. Young forward Rio Ngumoha is expected to sign a long-term deal, and Cody Gakpo remained at the club after interest from Manchester City, contributing one goal and three assists so far this season.

Hızlı Bakış: Bilmeniz Gerekenler

• Richard Hughes departed Liverpool to join Al-Hilal and took two recruitment staff members with him.
• Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is leading the search for a new sporting director.
• Potential internal candidates include David Woodfine and Julian Ward; Pedro Marques is another option from within FSG.