Liverpool sporting director moves to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal

One of the most influential clubs in the English Premier League, Liverpool, is undergoing significant changes at the management level, Zamin.uz reports.

The club's sporting director, Richard Hughes, is expected to leave Merseyside in the near future and join Al-Hilal, one of the leading teams in the Saudi Pro League. This transfer indicates not only the growing interest of star players in the Middle East but also the increasing appeal of high-level management positions in the region.

The information was announced by Goal.com. According to The Athletic, the 47-year-old specialist will once again work alongside his former colleague Simon Francis at Al-Riyadh club.

Although Hughes' contract with Liverpool runs until June 2027, the attractive financial terms and new projects offered by the Saudi club have drawn him in. Currently, negotiations between the parties have reached their final stage, and an agreement is imminent.

Al-Hilal's management had identified Richard Hughes as a primary target for the spring of this year. While no official contract has been signed yet, the process is already underway.

This means that the current summer transfer window will likely be Hughes' last period of activity at Liverpool. Meanwhile, the Fenway Sports Group leadership has already begun searching for a suitable replacement.

It should be emphasized that during his short tenure at Liverpool, Hughes was responsible for shaping the team's training system alongside the new head coach, Andoni Iraola. He fully trusts Iraola's football philosophy, with whom he previously worked at Bournemouth.

Before his departure, Hughes is expected to implement his final strategic plans to resolve the squad's issues for the 2025-2026 season and strengthen the roster. As a new phase in Saudi football, Al-Hilal aims not only to excel on the pitch but also to implement European standards in its management system.

Supported by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the club has already signed stars such as Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Now, it is also seeking to strengthen its administrative apparatus with experienced and capable specialists.

According to Goal.com, Al-Hilal's current market value is approximately 276 million pounds sterling. Richard Hughes' arrival at the club is expected to enhance its global influence and elevate its transfer policy to a more professional level.

For Liverpool fans, this represents an unexpected loss that could significantly affect the club's plans for future transfer windows.