September 7: Liverpool are looking for their fifth sporting director from 2022 after Richard Hughes left the club after two years to take up a new role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Hughes told Liverpool earlier this year of his plans to leave, after his friend Michael Edwards left as chief executive of football at Liverpool owner FSG. With Hughes putting summer targets in place, including the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, and working closely with new head coach Andoni Iraola, it was agreed that he would stay until the transfer window closes.
SPL leader Al-Hilal said Hughes’ appointment comes as part of the club’s efforts to strengthen its football system. Hughes is also the latest Premier League figure to join the Riyadh-based club, following players Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) who signed this summer.
Two members of Liverpool’s recruitment department will follow Hughes to Saudi Arabia – Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, who moved to Anfield from Bournemouth with Hughes two years ago.
Liverpool’s search for a replacement sporting director is already underway, led by FSG chairman Mike Gordon, who took over the day-to-day running of the club after Edwards left. Whoever enters follows Edwards, Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes through the same door over the past four years.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at (email protected)
