Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes has stepped down from his position and is expected to take up a similar role at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Hughes, 47, had held the position at Anfield for just over two years, having arrived in June 2024 from Bournemouth.
According to reports from the club's official channels, Hughes is set to join the Saudi champions in a move that concludes a period of significant change at Liverpool. His contract at the Merseyside club had been scheduled to expire in June 2027, but his departure had been anticipated for some time.
I'll always follow and support the club with great affection, and I wish everyone involved nothing but success for this season and beyond, Hughes said in a statement released by Liverpool.
Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group which owns Liverpool, commented on the departure:
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. 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.
What did Hughes achieve at Liverpool?
During his tenure at Liverpool, Hughes oversaw substantial transfer activity and played a key role in managerial appointments. In the summer of 2025, he was instrumental in the club's record spending spree, which saw the arrival of midfielder Florian Wirtz for £116m and striker Alexander Isak for £125m. He also orchestrated the groundwork for midfielder Bradley Barcola's £123m transfer from Paris St-Germain, completed in the summer of 2026.
Hughes arrived at Anfield following the departure of long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp and was central to the appointment of Dutch manager Arne Slot as his successor. Under Slot's management in his first season, Liverpool secured their 20th Premier League title. However, the club's form deteriorated in the following campaign, finishing fifth in the league and prompting Slot's exit. Hughes subsequently oversaw the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the new manager, reuniting with a figure he had worked alongside during his time at Bournemouth.
Why is Hughes moving to Saudi Arabia?
Al-Hilal, the 21-time Saudi champions, have identified Hughes as a key addition to their football operations structure. According to ESPN's reporting, Hughes is expected to assume a sporting director role at the club. The move reunites him with Simon Francis, who had already joined Al-Hilal and was leading the Saudi club's transfer strategy.
Al-Hilal's interest in Hughes dates back several months. The Athletic reported in March 2026 that Hughes had been identified as a leading contender for the sporting director position, with the club keen to strengthen its football operations ahead of an ambitious transfer campaign.
What has Al-Hilal spent this summer?
The Saudi Pro League side has embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive during the 2026 transfer window, spending close to £180m on Premier League talent. The club secured Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal for £60m and England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in a £51m deal. Al-Hilal also completed the signing of Netherlands midfielder Cyrenscio Summerville from West Ham for £60m, following the English club's relegation to the Championship.
The club is managed by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, who has overseen the ambitious recruitment strategy. With the Saudi Pro League transfer window remaining open until 12 October 2026, Al-Hilal are expected to have further opportunities to strengthen their squad before the deadline closes.
What does this mean for Liverpool's future?
Hughes's departure marks another significant moment of transition at Anfield during a transformative summer for the club. Liverpool have now entered the market for their fifth sporting director since 2022. The previous holders of the role included Michael Edwards, who departed in 2022 and was succeeded by Julian Ward, who now serves as FSG's technical director. Ward was replaced in 2023 by Jorg Schmadtke before Hughes took the position in 2024.
The club's leadership structure has undergone considerable change in recent months. Michael Edwards, who held the position of CEO of Football at FSG, resigned in July 2026. Additionally, FSG confirmed in recent weeks that they had sold a minority stake in Liverpool to Amit Bhatia's 1892 Holdings consortium, which includes involvement from Jeff Bezos.
Hughes's legacy at Liverpool will likely be assessed over time, particularly given his role in appointing Slot, which resulted in a Premier League title in the manager's debut season. However, his involvement in the subsequent decision to replace Slot with Iraola adds complexity to his overall contribution. The scale of the transfer activity he oversaw—including the record £415m spending in summer 2025—means his strategic decisions will continue to influence the club's trajectory for seasons to come.
What happens next?
Al-Hilal are expected to formally unveil Hughes following his Liverpool departure, with the announcement anticipated in September 2026. The Saudi club will have until 12 October 2026 to complete any additional signings during the current transfer window, providing Hughes with a window to make further additions to the squad if required.
