RICHARD HUGHES APPOINTED AL-HILAL SPORTING DIRECTOR AFTER LIVERPOOL EXIT

Richard Hughes has been appointed sporting director of Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club announced on Sunday, following his departure from Liverpool after two years. Hughes joined Liverpool in 2024 from Bournemouth, where he oversaw recruitment strategy. During his time at the club, he appointed Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp's successor. Al-Hilal stated that Hughes' appointment formed part of efforts to strengthen its football system and develop its sporting structure with specialised expertise.

Hughes' Liverpool tenure was marked by substantial spending on new signings. The club committed more than £650m to transfers in little over a year, with three players each costing at least £100m: Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz. Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2024-25 under Slot's management. However, performance deteriorated significantly in the following season, with the club dropping from first place to fifth and losing 20 matches in Slot's second season before Andoni Iraola replaced him as head coach in June.

Two members of Liverpool's recruitment department will follow Hughes to Al-Hilal. Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, who arrived at Liverpool from Bournemouth alongside Hughes two years ago, are set to join the Saudi club. Al-Hilal's manager is Simone Inzaghi, formerly of Inter. Hughes joins other prominent figures recently recruited to the Saudi Pro League, including players Gabriel Martinelli, Crysencio Summerville and Ollie Watkins.