Richard Hughes Leaves Liverpool to Become Al-Hilal Sporting Director

Liverpool announced that sporting director Richard Hughes has stepped down after a two-year tenure and will assume the same role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The club confirmed the departure on September 5, noting that Hughes had informed ownership of his intention to seek a fresh challenge.

Mirror - UK

Hughes, 47, joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 from AFC Bournemouth. He oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25. After a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, Slot was replaced by Andoni Iraola, a coach Hughes had previously worked with at Bournemouth.

Liverpool Confirms Sporting Director Richard Hughes Steps Down To Join Al-Hilal: how 10 outlets framed it

• Transfer spending under Hughes: reported figures range from roughly £200 million to £450 million (club sources) and up to £700 million (independent analysis).

Liverpool Echo

• Record signings include Alexander Isak (£125 million), Florian Wirtz (£116 million) and Bradley Barcola (£123 million).

ESPN

• Hughes was involved in contract extensions for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool Echo

• Al-Hilal’s summer activity: almost £180 million on Premier League players, notably Gabriel Martinelli (£60 million), Crysencio Summerville (£60 million) and Ollie Watkins (£51 million).

Al Hilal confirm former Liverpool chief Hughes as new sporting director

Liverpool’s website published Hughes’s farewell message, expressing gratitude and pledging continued support for the fans. Fenwick Sports Group (FSG) president Mike Gordon said the club respects Hughes’s “life choices” and wishes him and his family well.

ESPN

Commentators have questioned Hughes’s recruitment strategy.

The Independent

Sources differ on the total amount Liverpool spent during Hughes’s tenure: the BBC cites “about £200 million,” while other outlets report “over £450 million” and some analyses claim “more than £700 million.” The exact figure remains unverified, and while most reports agree Hughes’s contract ran until June 2027, the precise terms of any exit clause have not been disclosed.

Liverpool Confirms Sporting Director Richard Hughes Steps Down To Join Al-Hilal: how 10 outlets framed it

• “First and foremost, I would like to reiterate what I said upon my arrival – it has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution.” — Richard Hughes

Sporting director Richard Hughes leaves Liverpool

• “We respect Richard's life choices and wish him and his family well in their next venture.” — The BBC

Liverpool Confirms Sporting Director Richard Hughes Steps Down To Join Al-Hilal: how 10 outlets framed it

Liverpool have launched a search for Hughes’s successor, with FSG president Mike Gordon leading the process. Al-Hilal will integrate Hughes alongside technical director Simon Francis and recruitment staff Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, aiming to build on recent investment in Premier League talent.

The Guardian