Liverpool Announce Addition of Richard Hughes as Sporting Director

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 20 Mar 2024

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John Eastwood 20 Mar 2024

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The announcement comes on the heels of Michael Edwards returning as Football CEO
Hughes’ first major task will be to replace Jurgen Klopp
The former Arsenal midfielder had been Sporting Director at Bournemouth

Richard Hughes has done a sterling job at Bournemouth and will join Liverpool at the end of the season (Getty Images).

Hughes Replaces Ward and Schmadtke
Edwards Knows Hughes
Some Big Decisions Ahead

Hughes Replaces Ward and Schmadtke

After losing Sporting Director Julian Ward last season, Liverpool appointed Jorg Schmadtke in a short-term role. He departed that assignment after the January transfer window.

Richard Hughes grew up in Italy, speaks French and has been AFC Bournemouth’s Sporting Director for the last 10 years.

Edwards Knows Hughes

The returning Michael Edwards, now CEO of Football for owners Fenway Sports Group, knows Hughes from their time together at Portsmouth. Hughes was a player back then whilst Edwards worked as an analyst.

Both parties will begin work on 1 July as they look to begin a new era without the legendary Jurgen Klopp.

Some Big Decisions Ahead

Hughes must not only decide on a new head coach, but three key players are down to one year on their contract. Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah will see their contracts come to an end in June 2025.

As for the manager search, the three main candidates are Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton, Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen and Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon.

Hughes has a good relationship with Alonso’s agent Inaki Ibanez, who also represents AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, who Hughes appointed.