Liverpool Seek Fourth Sporting Director Amid Leadership Changes

Liverpool are looking for a fourth sporting director in as many years after confirming Richard Hughes has left the role.

The 47-year-old’s exit had been on the cards for months. Hughes is expected to take up a similar position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and told Liverpool of his plans early in the year, shortly after his long-time ally Michael Edwards moved on to become chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club’s owners.

That change at the top set the tone. Edwards’ departure, then Hughes’ intention to move on, left Liverpool reshaping the leadership behind the scenes while trying to keep the football operation steady.

Hughes stayed in place through the summer by agreement with the club. With Liverpool already deep into work on transfer business – including the headline £123m signing of Bradley Barcola – and with Hughes enjoying a strong working relationship with new head coach Andoni Iraola, all parties decided continuity was the best option until the window closed.

Liverpool insist Al-Hilal made no move for Hughes to begin work with them during the summer. The club are said to be satisfied he remained fully committed to Liverpool throughout his final months in charge of recruitment.

The hunt for his successor has already started. FSG president Mike Gordon, who stepped back into the day-to-day running of the club after Edwards’ exit, is leading the process. Whoever comes in will be the fourth man to hold the position since Edwards left the sporting director post in 2022, following Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes.

Despite the churn at the top of the recruitment department, Liverpool insist the wider football structure stays solid. Ward now operates as technical director for FSG, while Pedro Marques continues as director of football development at FSG. Assistant sporting director David Woodfine remains in place, as do chief scout Barry Hunter and the senior leadership team at the training centre.

The framework is there. The question now is who Liverpool trust to step into one of the most scrutinised seats in European football and shape the next phase of their squad.