Richard Hughes' game-changing Liverpool plan is now finally in full effect | OneFootball

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes finally has his game-changing plan in full effect. A new-look Reds.

Richard Hughes took over as Liverpool sporting director back in early 2024. It's only really now, however, that the real plan can be put into full effect.

Because this sporting director role differs from the previous one held by Michael Edwards, Julian Ward and Jorg Schmadtke. It's actually got more in common with the old 'manager' role - one where the person holding the role guides the overall ideas.

It's Hughes who signs the player, Hughes who builds the squad, and Hughes who decides the true direction. The 'head coach', as Arne Slot was and now Andoni Iraola is, coaches the team and sets the gameplan for matches.

But that's, in theory, where their role ends.

Hughes hasn't actually been able to implement the role all that much, however. His first summer saw the sensible decision made to not tinker all that much. A new director, a new coach, a new setup - it made sense to end the overhaul there, rather than changing playing personnel.

Then in year two, things were quite odd. Slot had just delivered the Premier League and he was quite involved with player recruitment as a result. The vision Hughes was setting was very much tied to the coach - when that isn't really the plan.

Liverpool actually ended up doing far too much that summer and paid the price the following season. They'll look to correct their course in 2026 and Iraola's arrival means Hughes has a chance to show why the new sporting director role is the right direction.

In the old setup, changing 'manager' like this would mean starting again. All of the ideas would change and you're back into a transitional season.

But with Hughes still very much in place, the plan can continue - merely with a new head coach for matches. There shouldn't be any need for a transitional season and the sporting director can instead build the same squad he always wanted to.

That's how this is supposed to work, after all. The head coach can change but the general direction doesn't. Hughes can show that this season by continuing with the same general plan he's had for the last year.

So this summer, in theory, should show us all exactly why Liverpool adopted the new sporting director model.

Richard Hughes: Situation Summary

Anfield Executive Review and Future

As of 5 June 2026, Richard Hughes remains in his position as Liverpool’s sporting director, though his tenure faces a defining test following a turbulent campaign. After overseeing a £450 million squad investment that resulted in a fifth-place Premier League finish and a trophy-less season, the 46-year-old executive faced intense scrutiny. Following a performance review led by FSG’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, Hughes was tasked with navigating the controversial sacking of manager Arne Slot on 30 May. He now holds the central responsibility for stabilising the club’s footballing operations after a period of significant internal and external pressure.

Managerial Appointment and Recruitment Pressure

Hughes has moved to rectify the season’s failures by swiftly executing the managerial change. He successfully led the negotiations to appoint Andoni Iraola as Liverpool's new head coach on a two-year contract, officially confirmed on 4 June. Having previously appointed the Basque tactician at Bournemouth in 2023, Hughes is banking on their established professional relationship to restore Liverpool's high-intensity identity. With the transfer window now open, the sporting director must deliver a precise and functional squad overhaul to justify his continued authority at Anfield.