Richard Hughes named Al-Hilal sporting director and starts work in Riyadh | OneFootball

Al-Hilal have appointed Richard Hughes as sporting director after the board, chaired by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, finalised terms. The club said in a statement that he arrived in Riyadh and started work today.

The move forms part of a drive to strengthen the football structure with specialist expertise, aiming to raise technical standards, sharpen recruitment and scouting, and improve integration across the department.

The board expressed gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for funding the sports management contracts, calling it a continuation of his exceptional backing and commitment to equipping Al-Hilal with qualified talent to support its future ambitions.

Hughes played for Bournemouth and Portsmouth and represented Scotland. After retiring, he joined Bournemouth’s recruitment team, becoming sporting director in 2016, then moved to Liverpool in 2024 in the same role during the team’s 2024/25 Premier League title win.

He will work alongside a sporting management team that includes Simon Francis as football technical director, Mark Burchill as director of recruitment, and Craig McKee as director of scouting. Harry Arter is senior technical scout, while Abdulhakim Al-Tuwaijri is technical director for youth teams.

The board wished Hughes and his staff success as they pursue the club’s sporting targets, continue the development of the football system, and enhance competitiveness on all fronts.

Source: AlHilal

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