Al-Hilal have officially confirmed the appointment of Richard Hughes as their new sporting director, marking the next chapter in the 47-year-old Scot's career after his recent exit from Liverpool. The Saudi Pro League champions announced the move on Sunday, adding another high-profile figure from English football to their growing roster of recruits.
Hughes arrived at Anfield in 2024 after a spell at Bournemouth, stepping into a role that would prove pivotal for Liverpool's fortunes. Among his key decisions was the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's head coach, replacing the departing Jürgen Klopp. That call was quickly vindicated as Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in the 2024-25 season. However, Slot's tenure did not last much longer, as he was dismissed in June and succeeded by Andoni Iraola.
In a statement explaining the move, Al-Hilal said the hiring of Hughes forms part of a broader strategy to reinforce the club's football operations. "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 club said.
Hughes' arrival in Riyadh underscores Al-Hilal's continued interest in importing expertise and talent from the Premier League. He becomes the latest in a string of figures with English top-flight connections to join the club this year. On the playing side, Al-Hilal have already brought in Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United, and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the summer transfer window, signaling the club's ambition to compete at the highest level with recognizable names from England's top division.
The Saudi giants are managed by Simone Inzaghi, who took charge after leaving Inter Milan, further reflecting the club's push to assemble a leadership structure built on experience gained in Europe's most competitive leagues. With Hughes now overseeing the football department, Al-Hilal appear intent on blending elite coaching, sporting management, and playing talent from abroad to solidify their dominance domestically and enhance their profile on the continental and global stage.
Hughes will not be making the move alone. Two members of Liverpool's recruitment staff, Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, are expected to follow him to Saudi Arabia. Both had joined Liverpool alongside Hughes two years ago when he made the switch from Bournemouth, and their continued partnership with him suggests Al-Hilal are keen to import not just individual expertise but an entire working structure and philosophy that had been building momentum at Anfield.
The timing of Hughes' departure from Liverpool comes amid a turbulent period for the Merseyside club, who saw the abrupt end of Slot's spell as head coach despite the title success just a season earlier. Iraola has since taken over the reins, leaving Liverpool to navigate a transition in both its coaching setup and sporting management framework.
For Al-Hilal, landing Hughes represents a significant coup as they continue to reshape their football operations with an eye toward long-term stability and success both in the Saudi Pro League and on the international stage. The club's recruitment drive, spanning players, coaching staff, and now senior football management, illustrates a clear and sustained ambition to become a major force well beyond the borders of Saudi Arabia.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.