New Richard Hughes to Al-Hilal timeline emerges as sporting director expected to leave

Richard Hughes has been a major player in Liverpool’s post-Jurgen Klopp operations.

The former Bournemouth technical director was headhunted by FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards to become Liverpool sporting director in 2024.

Hughes, 46, set about hiring Arne Slot as new head coach - a remarkable appointment given the Dutchman won the Premier League title in his first season in charge.

The Scottish exec then oversaw £450m worth of transfer spending last summer - breaking the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

Richard Hughes near certain to leave for Al-Hilal

He also orchestrated new deals for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in 2025 - as well as Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch in the 2025/26 season.

Despite Hughes’ centrality to the project he now looks set to leave. The former midfielder is under contract at Anfield until 2027 and according to a report on BBC Sport he will not be signing a new deal.

Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia are thought to be keen on adding Hughes as their new sporting director - although right now he remains fully committed to transfer business at Anfield.

Hughes deal expires in 2027

Nonetheless there is now a pathway for Hughes to exit the outgoing Premier League champions and link up with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis is Riyadh.

“Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is not expected to sign a new deal to remain at the club beyond 2027,” the report reads.

“He is likely to link up with former Bournemouth colleague Simon Francis at Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.

“Al Hilal and Francis are operating on the basis that Hughes will join the club.”

Hughes won't be here beyond 2027

An exact exit date is hard to predict. Either Hughes will see out his contract and effectively work a one-year notice period or else he will cave in and ask for an early release.

That of course would leave a leadership vacuum at Anfield - with Michael Edward also set to exit the enterprise in 2027 when his deal ends.

It’s a bit of a mess for Andoni Iraola - who was appointed by Hughes as new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot.

He will be unsure who will be calling the shots beyond this summer with more big changes coming down the track in 2027 - by which time Iraola will only have one year left on his deal.