Liverpool Begin Sporting Director Search After Richard Hughes Steps Down

Liverpool have started the search for a new sporting director after confirming that Richard Hughes has stepped down. The Guardian reported on Saturday that Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is leading the process to identify his successor, creating another change at the top of the Premier League club’s football operation.

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Hughes, 47, had been expected to leave and is in line for a similar position with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, according to The Guardian. That prospective appointment has not been presented as complete. The report said Hughes informed Liverpool early in 2026 that he intended to depart, following Michael Edwards’ exit as FSG’s chief executive of football.

Liverpool and Hughes agreed that he would remain in his post until the summer transfer window closed. The arrangement allowed him to continue working on the club’s recruitment plans and alongside head coach Andoni Iraola. That work included Liverpool’s signing of Bradley Barcola in a £123 million deal, as reported by The Guardian.

The club said it did not receive an approach from Al-Hilal seeking permission for Hughes to begin work for the Saudi side during the summer. Liverpool are also satisfied that he worked exclusively for them throughout that period. Those details address the overlap between reports about his possible next job and his final months overseeing Liverpool’s transfer activity.

Gordon has resumed day-to-day oversight of Liverpool following Edwards’ departure and will now direct the appointment process. The next hire will become the club’s fourth sporting director in four years. Since Edwards left the sporting director position in 2022, Liverpool have placed Julian Ward, Jörg Schmadtke and Hughes in the role.

The Guardian reported that the rest of Liverpool’s football leadership structure will remain intact during the search. Ward continues as FSG technical director, with Pedro Marques serving as FSG director of football development. Assistant sporting director David Woodfine, chief scout Barry Hunter and the senior leadership team at the training centre also remain in position. Hughes originally joined Liverpool in June 2024 after a decade overseeing football operations at Bournemouth, according to the club’s announcement of his appointment.