Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Richard Hughes as the club’s new sporting director.
The Reds had been on the lookout for a new sporting director since the departure of Jorg Schmadtke at the end of the January transfer window after just nine months at the helm.
Hughes will leave his current post at Bournemouth in order to take over as Liverpool’s new transfer guru at the end of the 2023/24 season, taking charge of the post-Jurgen Klopp rebuild at Anfield.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website about his appointment, Hughes said that he was “incredibly proud” of taking up the sporting director role at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
“I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity,” he said.
“People rightly talk about the rich history this organisation can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me. Jurgen Klopp is leading an outstanding team and squad and alongside that the commitment to young players and their pathway to the first team is also outstanding.
“I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking this position. It will be my job, working with Michael [Edwards] and leading the football operations team already in place, plus the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.
“That’s really what the job entails: you have to make the kind of good decisions which enhance the prospects of having a team that wins and excites the supporters. It is what Liverpool have done well for a very long time and the benefits are there for everyone to see.”
What we know
- Richard Hughes is set to takeover as Liverpool’s sporting director in the summer
- He will replace Jorg Schmadtke
- Hughes has enjoyed success recently with Bournemouth.