Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes Departs, Successor Search Begins

Liverpool have confirmed the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes after just two years in the role, with the Scot expected to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

"The process of appointing a successor is under way and the outcome will be confirmed in due course," the club said in a statement, with the search being led by Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon. Hughes departs having overseen roughly £670 million in transfer spending across five windows, including British record fees for Alexander Isak and Enzo Fernandez, plus the summer's marquee arrival of Bradley Barcola for £123m.

Hughes had informed the club of his desire to leave earlier this year but agreed to stay through the transfer window, given his close working relationship with head coach Andoni Iraola, whom he had first brought in at Bournemouth before reuniting with him at Anfield. He was also the executive who appointed Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's successor, with Slot winning the Premier League in his debut season before being dismissed following a difficult title defence.

His exit follows the recent departure of longtime friend Michael Edwards as FSG's CEO of Football, continuing a period of upheaval in Liverpool's boardroom. In the interim, the club says other senior football operations figures, including FSG technical director Julian Ward and assistant sporting director David Woodfine, will maintain the department's strategy.