Liverpool have announced Richard Hughes as their new sporting director, heralding a new era at Anfield as part of Michael Edwards’ comprehensive restructuring.
The Reds officially announced Hughes as the club’s new sporting director on Wednesday. This move is part of an extensive shake-up led by Michael Edwards, the former sporting director who is set to return to the club as CEO.
Hughes, a former Scotland international, will leave his role as Bournemouth’s sporting director to join Liverpool at the end of the season.
His journey in football administration began after retiring from playing, initially joining Bournemouth’s recruitment team under Eddie Howe.
Richard Hughes (Via LFC/Twitter)
Hughes’s keen insights led to his promotion to technical director during Bournemouth’s Premier League tenure.
Liverpool have been without a permanent sporting director since Julian Ward’s departure last summer.
In the interim, German football executive Jordi Schmadtke was brought in to assist Klopp during the summer transfer window, which included notable signings like Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool Logo (Via Getty Images)
Hughes’s distinguished career in football spans both playing and administrative roles.
He began his professional journey at Arsenal, though he never made a senior appearance for the club. Hughes joined Bournemouth in 1998, spending four years there before moving to Portsmouth.
During his time at Fratton Park, Hughes earned five caps for the Scotland national team and made 114 Premier League appearances over nine years. He eventually returned to Bournemouth in 2012, retiring from professional football two years later.
