Richard Hughes Leaves Liverpool Sporting Director Role, Set for Al-Hilal Move

Liverpool have confirmed the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes, bringing an end to his two-year spell at Anfield and paving the way for a reported move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

The club announced on Saturday that Hughes had stepped down after informing Liverpool’s ownership of his desire to pursue a “fresh challenge.”

Liverpool thanked the 46-year-old for his contribution and said he leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club.

The departure comes only days after the close of the summer transfer window, allowing Hughes to complete Liverpool’s latest recruitment campaign before ending his time at the club.

Hughes joined Liverpool in June 2024 after previously serving as Bournemouth’s technical director.

He arrived as part of the club’s post-Jürgen Klopp restructuring and worked closely with former Liverpool sporting director and later FSG football chief Michael Edwards.

One of Hughes’ biggest early decisions was the appointment of Arne Slot as Klopp’s successor.

The decision initially proved hugely successful, with Slot guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season and securing Champions League qualification.

However, the following campaign proved far more difficult.

Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League in 2025-26, leading to Slot’s dismissal in May 2026 and the appointment of Andoni Iraola.

Hughes leaves after overseeing a major overhaul of Liverpool’s squad.

During his time at Anfield, the club invested heavily in recruitment, with major deals including the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Bradley Barcola. Reuters reported that Hughes played a central role in the club’s ambitious transfer strategy.

The most recent summer window saw Liverpool make another significant statement by signing Barcola in a deal reported to be worth around £123 million.

But the spending also attracted criticism as Liverpool struggled for consistency during the 2025-26 season.

The Times reported that Hughes’ tenure involved approximately £670 million in transfer spending, with questions raised over squad balance, depth and some recruitment decisions.

Liverpool’s official statement did not give a detailed explanation beyond saying that Hughes wanted to seek a fresh challenge.

However, his departure has been linked for months with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Reports had repeatedly identified Al-Hilal as Hughes’ likely destination, with the Saudi club keen to appoint him as sporting director.

The Guardian reported that Hughes’ exit had been anticipated and that he was expected to join Al-Hilal after the summer transfer window.

The Times likewise reported that Hughes has resigned to take up the Al-Hilal opportunity, where he is expected to reunite with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis, who is now part of the Saudi club’s football structure.

Hughes’ departure follows the resignation of Michael Edwards from his role as FSG’s chief executive of football in July.

Edwards had returned to Liverpool’s ownership structure in 2024 and was instrumental in bringing Hughes to Anfield.

His departure earlier this year was therefore viewed as another major change to Liverpool’s football leadership.

Liverpool will now begin the search for another sporting director.

According to The Guardian, Hughes’ exit represents the fourth change in the position in four years, following previous sporting directors Julian Ward and Jörg Schmadtke after Edwards’ earlier departure.

Hughes’ two years at Liverpool produced both significant achievements and considerable controversy.

He was involved in the appointment of a manager who delivered a league title, helped oversee a major squad rebuild and brought some of Europe’s most sought-after young players to Anfield.

But the team’s disappointing 2025-26 campaign and concerns over recruitment and squad depth also placed him under increasing scrutiny from sections of the Liverpool support.

His final major piece of business was completed shortly before his departure, with Barcola joining Liverpool as the club’s headline signing of the latest window.

Now, Hughes is preparing for a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.

For Liverpool, however, the immediate challenge is finding the person who can take charge of recruitment and help steer the club through its next phase.