Richard Hughes has been appointed as the sporting director of Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club confirmed on Sunday, following his departure from Liverpool.
Hughes, 47, joined Liverpool in 2024 from Bournemouth. He appointed Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s successor as head coach, a decision that paid immediate dividends as the Reds claimed the Premier League title in 2024-25. Slot was sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola in June.
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“The appointment of Hughes came as part of Al-Hilal’s efforts to strengthen its football system and develop its sporting structure with specialised expertise,” the Saudi Pro League leaders said in a statement.
The appointment highlights Al-Hilal’s drive to tap into English football, with Hughes the latest former Premier League figure to join the Riyadh-based club. Hughes follows players Gabriel Martinelli, Crysencio Summerville and Ollie Watkins, who joined the Saudi club this summer from Arsenal, West Ham United and Aston Villa, respectively. Al-Hilal’s manager is Simone Inzaghi, formerly of Inter.
Two members of Liverpool’s recruitment department are set to follow Hughes to Al Hilal. Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, who joined Liverpool from Bournemouth with Hughes two years ago, are now poised to team up with the Scot in Saudi.
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