Here is all you need to know about Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes including his age, career, bio and signings
At the conclusion of this season, Richard Hughes will begin his new position as Liverpool’s sporting director, as confirmed.
The 44-year-old is quitting his position as technical director at AFC Bournemouth to join the Reds. Following his appointment by Michael Edwards, the newly named CEO of Football at Fenway Sports Group, Hughes will formally assume duties at the AXA Training Centre on June 1st, ahead of the 2024–25 campaign. The two had previously collaborated while Hughes was a player with Portsmouth.
Who is Richard Hughes new Liverpool FC Sporting Director and best signings list at Bournemouth
🚨🔴 Liverpool confirm Richard Hughes joining on June 1 as new sporting director, as expected.
“I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity”, Hughes says. pic.twitter.com/N53lnyygUL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 20, 2024
Not only does Hughes speak three languages and has strong connections in his home countries of France and Italy, but he also has a track record of bringing in young players, having brought players like Nathan Ake, Dominic Solanke, Callum Wilson, and Aaron Ramsdale to Bournemouth before joining Liverpool.
Who is Richard Hughes?
Richard Hughes is a Scottish professional football executive and former player who was born on June 25, 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland and is presently employed by Premier League team AFC Bournemouth as their sports director. However, he will leave the position to join Liverpoop on June 1. The 44-year-old stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall.
A look at Richard Hughes’ career
Edwards has long yearned to collaborate with Hughes, and the two have enjoyed a professional and personal relationship that dates back more than 20 years. During Hughes’s playing days at Portsmouth, Edwards served as the head analyst for the south coast team under manager Harry Redknapp.
Hughes was the technical director at Bournemouth for ten years before he recently left the position. This is Michael Edwards’s first appointment as the CEO of football at Fenway Sports Group [FSG]. The former Scotland international played mostly as a midfielder for Portsmouth and Bournemouth during his more than 300 career appearances.
Hughes takes over for Jorg Schmadtke, who assumed the position in May of last year, albeit temporarily, since he plans to leave after the January transfer window.
Richard’s best signings at Bournemouth
5. Ryan Christie
4. Tyrone Mings
3. Nathan Ake
2. Aaron Ramsdale
1. Dominic Solanke
Richard Hughes’ parents
The family resided in Milan, where Richard Hughes’ father worked for Penguin Books while his mother briefly returned to Glasgow to give birth. Not much is known about his personal life.