Liverpool FC has confirmed the appointment of Richard Hughes as the team's new sporting director, effective at the end of the current season.
The athlete It was reported earlier this month that Hughes was set to move to Liverpool after it was announced that he would leave his position as Bournemouth manager at the end of the season, and would be replaced by his assistant and former club captain Simon Francis.
Hughes was sought out by Michael Edwards, who had a long-standing desire to work with Hughes and held him in the highest regard after watching his career and reputation grow.
The pair have a professional and personal relationship spanning more than 20 years since they were together at Portsmouth when Hughes was a player and Edwards was a pundit.
Edwards was impressed when Bournemouth were able to identify and attract young talent such as Tyrone Mings, Lewis Cook, David Brooks (Liverpool had been intensely looking at Brooks before his illness), Lloyd Kelly and Philip Billing to the south coast.
Go deeper
Why does FSG follow a multi-club model and what is the benefit for Liverpool?
Edwards, left, takes on a senior role at FSG
“I am very proud to have this opportunity,” Hughes said. “Liverpool is a unique club and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to serve them in this capacity.
“People rightly talk about the rich history this organization can be proud of, but it's the present and future that really interests me. Jurgen Klopp leads an outstanding team and squad, and alongside that the commitment to the young players and their path to the first team is also fantastic.
“I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking on this role. It will be my job, working with Michael (Edwards) and leading the football operations team that is already in place, as well as the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.
Edwards added: “I have known him for half my life, both professionally and personally, and he is certainly someone who embodies the best values of Liverpool FC. I trust him completely.
“He has outstanding judgment and a proven track record of making smart decisions that benefit the organizations he represents.”
Go deeper
Transfer savvy and Edwards' bonds: Why Liverpool appointed Hughes as sporting director
Liverpool are in the midst of a major shift in followers Technical director Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down this summer, His closest employees are also scheduled to leave Interim sporting director Jörg Schmadtke has already left.
However, Edwards has agreed to join Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) as chief football officer and was seen at Old Trafford on Sunday during the Merseyside club's 4-3 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. The former Liverpool CEO will oversee the club's football operations in his new position. FSG are also working on a move for Benfica technical director Pedro Marques.
Hughes' appointment will always depend on FSG securing Edwards, and after giving notice to Bournemouth some time ago, the former Scotland international has been in discussions with several suitors since the transfer window closed in January.
It is known that Edwards Hughes is among the leaders in the industry And his movement Andoni Iraola was appointed coach of Bournemouth last June He stressed his credentials.
Go deeper
Michael Edwards – the visionary behind Liverpool's remarkable rise
Although Hughes had long been touted as a potential candidate, it became a concrete direction of travel once FSG made progress during talks with Edwards.
Since retiring in 2014, Hughes – who played for Bournemouth between 1998 and 2002 – has been part of the club's recruitment team and was later promoted to manager.
The 44-year-old spent time in Italy as a youth player with… Atalanta His knowledge of Italy and ability to navigate this market has aided Bournemouth's efforts to sign several players from Serie A. Hughes is well thought of in recruitment circles domestically and abroad, can speak other languages and has been praised for Bournemouth's recruitment in recent years.
Hughes oversaw a data-driven approach to transportation operations and visibility Ilya Zabarny, Dominic Solanke, Nathan Ack And Aaron Ramsdell He joined the club in recent years.
His predecessor at Liverpool Schmadtke was appointed by the club on an initial short-term contract last June, following the departure of former sporting director Julian Ward, who himself replaced Edwards just a year ago.
Richard Hughes: Background
Hughes (centre) joins Liverpool from Bournemouth (Photo: Bournemouth)
Hughes, 44, spent a decade as Bournemouth's manager.
He was appointed to the position in 2014 due to the strength of his relationship with former manager Eddie Howe, whom he got to know as a teenager after they broke into the club's first team together.
After they both moved to Portsmouth Within a few months of each other in 2002, they met Edwards a year later when he moved to Fratton Park as a performance analyst.
Howe spent most of his two years at Portsmouth injured which led him to think about where his future might lie after his career is over. He and Hughes became closer to Edwards. Although their paths diverged over the years that followed, they remained connected because of the nature of their work.
As Liverpool's sporting director, Edwards later sold Gordon Ibe, Brad Smith and Solanke to Bournemouth, who were managed by Howe and with Hughes appointed as manager, for large sums. Harry Wilson He also enjoyed a year on loan at the South Coast club.
Following Howe's departure in 2020 following relegation from the Premier League, Hughes stayed on. Since then it is increasingly operating in the European market. Some of his more recent eye-catching recommendations include those of Dynamo Kyiv Zabarny And AZ Alkmaar Milos Kerkezplayers who have aroused the interest of some of the continent's leading clubs.
(Top image: AFC Bournemouth)
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”