Report: Richard Hughes set to leave Liverpool with next move already decided | OneFootball

Liverpool Face Richard Hughes Uncertainty Amid Al-Hilal Interest

Liverpool are facing fresh uncertainty with Richard Hughes reportedly set to leave his role as sporting director in favour of a move to Al-Hilal, according to iNews. 

Hughes arrived at Anfield in 2024, succeeding Jorg Schmadtke and becoming central to the club’s new football structure. His appointment was designed to give Liverpool a clear strategic lead after Klopp’s exit, with Arne Slot then chosen as head coach.

That decision delivered immediate success, as Slot won the Premier League in his first season in 2024/25. Yet the mood around Liverpool has shifted during a difficult 2025/26 campaign, with results, recruitment and squad balance all coming under scrutiny.

Al-Hilal Move Could Reshape Anfield Structure

Reports suggest Al-Hilal want Hughes to become their new sporting director, with claims intensifying that he could accept an offer from Saudi Arabia before his Liverpool contract expires in 2027.

Such a move would be significant. Hughes has overseen major transfer activity, including record breaking spending and a substantial squad overhaul. He has also been responsible for navigating contract issues, recruitment planning and the broader direction of Liverpool’s football operations.

Losing him now would force Liverpool into another senior football appointment just two years after restructuring the department. For a club already facing questions over performance levels, timing matters.

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Slot Backing Adds Another Layer

Hughes’ potential exit also carries implications for Arne Slot. The sporting director was instrumental in bringing him to Liverpool and has remained one of his most important allies inside the club.

A new sporting director may arrive with different ideas on recruitment, squad profile and long term coaching direction. That does not automatically place Slot under threat, but it would alter the internal balance at a crucial point.

After a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on 9 May, reports described a “mutinous mood” at Anfield, with supporters questioning tactics and transfer planning. Those concerns now sit alongside uncertainty over Hughes’ own future.

Recruitment Pressure Grows

Liverpool are already managing several major issues. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are reportedly heading towards departures, while Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation remains unresolved.

Hughes has also been linked with renewed recruitment work, including interest in Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomandé. Any exit to Al-Hilal would therefore come at a delicate time, with Liverpool needing clarity rather than disruption.

For now, Liverpool must prepare for the possibility of another reset behind the scenes. Hughes was brought in to shape the next era. If Al-Hilal succeed, that era may need a new architect far sooner than planned.