Liverpool have officially confirmed that sporting director Richard Hughes will be leaving the club after serving two and a half years as the club's sporting director. This announcement does not come as much of a surprise, as Hughes reportedly informed the club of his wish to leave earlier this year, and he is set to begin a new chapter in his career in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal.
Hughes had initially wanted to leave after two years at the club, which would have been in March of this year. The club's top brass wanted him to stay through the summer transfer window for stability's sake and to help with the transition, as David Woodfine is expected to replace Hughes.
Liverpool's Official Club Statement
Liverpool's official press release announcing Hughes' official departure reads as follows;
Hughes, who moved to Anfield from AFC Bournemouth in June 2024, departs with the best wishes of everyone at LFC having informed the club’s ownership of his desire to seek a fresh challenge.<br><br>During his tenure, we won our 20th league title in 2024-25 and achieved Champions League qualification in the following season.<br><br>Speaking on behalf of the Reds’ ownership, Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon thanked Hughes for his contribution, saying: “Richard joined us at the start of a period of change, embracing that responsibility by leading our football operations department and overseeing recruitment while also providing valuable support to our coaching staff.<br>“The results we achieved in these areas during this period are testament to this contribution. Nevertheless, we respect Richard’s life choices and wish him and his family well in their next venture.”<br><br>Hughes said: “First and foremost, I would like to reiterate what I said upon my arrival – it has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. That is something I will always be grateful for.<br><br>“My appreciation extends to ownership for their support and leadership, to club staff at all levels who give so much to make Liverpool FC what it is, to the players who make such an enormous contribution and to the fans who support the team in great numbers whenever and wherever games take place.<br><br>“I’ll always follow and support the club with great affection, and I wish everyone involved nothing but success for this season and beyond.”<br><br>The process of appointing a successor is under way and the outcome will be confirmed in due course.
Leaving With Mixed Reviews
Hughes stepped into a role with big boots to fill. He took over after Jörg Schmadtke and Julian Ward each served tenures as Liverpool's sporting director, both having followed Michael Edwards, who was sporting director for over ten years.
Hughes was tasked with aiding efforts to replace Jürgen Klopp after he announced he'd be leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 season, and they eventually landed on Arne Slot. Twelve months after the Dutchman guided Liverpool to their second Premier League title in six seasons, Slot was sacked by the club, and the search ultimately ended with Andoni Iraola.
It's an odd legacy Hughes leaves behind. There can be no denying just how good Liverpool were in that title-winning 2024/25 campaign, but with all the money they've spent in the past two summer transfer windows, you'd think they'd be far better off than they are now.
Since winning the title in May of 2025, Hughes oversaw the signings of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerez, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovani Leoni, Federico Chiesa, Freddie Woodman, Rio Ngumoah, and then all of this summer's signings: Bradley Barcola, Víctor Muñoz, Ronald Araujo, Jérémy Jacquet, and Lucca Brughmans.
The Foundation's Been Set
In total, Hughes oversaw one of Liverpool's largest-ever spending sprees across the last two summers, having spent over £670 million, while making roughly £290 million in player sales. It's a bizarre dichotomy to examine, given the success of 2024/25 and the steep drop-off last season. Liverpool went from strength to strength last summer, but just failed to make it work.
Now, while Liverpool looked far from their best in their opening two matches of the season, they battled to a 2-0 away win at Ipswich Town and remain undefeated from their opening three matches. Iraola will also be eagerly awaiting the return of Connor Bradley, Huge Ekitike, and Giovani Leoni from long-term injuries right after he's got his first glimpse at Barcola from his second-half cameo at Ipswich.
In a way, much like Klopp left behind a spectacular team for Slot to win the Premier League with in his maiden season at the club, the signings Hughes has helped make have laid a foundation for his successor to build on.
