Insider confirms unflattering verdict on Richard Hughes

Michael Edwards has left the Fenway Sports Group once again.

The former Liverpool sporting director returned to the fold in 2024 as part of the post-Jurgen Klopp shakeup. During his first stint in charge he delivered signings such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Roberto Firmino.

Those names paved the way for unprecedented success under Klopp - before Edwards left in 2022.

Part of his remit coming back under the umbrella would be hiring a new sporting director. He went for long-term confidante Richard Hughes - who moved into the role having left his post as Bournemouth’s technical director.

It paid dividends immediately.

Hughes oversees £450m spend

Hughes played a prominent role in hiring Arne Slot - who won the Premier League title in his maiden campaign in charge.

The Scottish executive was then tasked with overseeing big changes in the 2025 summer transfer window. Around £180m worth of sales were made - including favourites like Caoimhin Kelleher and Luis Diaz.

And Hughes conducted a record-breaking transfer spending spree - adding £450m worth of talent.

He broke the British record twice in deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak - lavishing big sums on others such as Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike.

No one other than £69m Ekitike has hit the ground running - leaving plenty of question marks against Hughes’ legacy.

Hughes' work not looked at favourably

The 46-year-old is now effectively working his notice - although his original contract expires in 2027. Hughes is expected to join Al Hilal once this current transfer period is over - bringing the curtain down on a mixed spell at the helm.

Indeed it now appears as though his work is looked at unfavourably if a report from the trusted James Pearce in the Athletic is to be believed.

Contrasted with the exit of Edwards - whose decisions have been spot on and whose exit is more to do with a failure to land a second team for a multi-club empire - Hughes’ endeavours are not rated as highly.

Hughes' work not viewed in positive terms

“He leaves with the legacy of having delivered a largely excellent transfer record working beside Klopp and then the kudos of appointing the sporting director who recruited Klopp’s successor in Arne Slot, who promptly delivered a Premier League title in his first season,” the report reads of Edwards.

“Hughes’ own transfer record at Liverpool in response to that success is currently not viewed in quite so positive terms.”

These players may come good in time but it’s fair to say the £116m for Wirtz and £125m for Isak right now look hard to justify.

Add in losing Trent Alexander-Arnold for a rock-bottom fee having failed to renew his contract - and Ibrahima Konate walking out the door for nothing this summer and you can see why the view of Hughes may be less than complimentary.

There was also the unsuccessful renewal for Mohamed Salah - whose deal worth £400k per week was ripped up a year early.

It looked like Liverpool had their Premier League destiny fully under control last summer before that errant spending spree.

The one man who conducted that business is now under scrutiny and it won’t be long before he packs his bags for Saudi Arabia.