Reports from the Middle East suggest that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes could leave his Anfield post to work in the Saudi Pro League.
There is mass unrest at Liverpool. From uncertainty over Arne Slot’s future as manager, supporters expressing their distaste at recent results with boos after full-time against Spurs, to new question marks over Hughes’ future.
Galatasaray visit Anfield tonight with the opportunity to deal another blow to the Reds. They carry a 1-0 lead over from the first leg in Turkey with an exit from the Champions League sure to increase fan unrest by an unidentifiable factor.
Hughes was entrusted with recruitment to the unprecedented tune of £460m in the summer, but for one reason or another, Liverpool have declined at a rapid rate since their Premier League title triumph in May 2025.
So, to learn of rumours of his imminent exit are alarming to say the least.
Rumoured imminent Richard Hughes Liverpool exit: ‘Agrees’ new Saudi Pro League role
Liverpool appointed Richard Hughes (43) as their sporting director on the 20th of March, meaning rumours of an imminent exit come just shy of his one-year anniversary in the role.
According to Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan, Hughes has agreed a deal to be the new Al-Hilal sporting director effective this summer.
Taking to X on Monday, Al-Ajlan wrote that terms on a deal to move to the Saudi Pro League have been agreed and finalised. He is yet to sign a contract, but an agreement has allegedly been reached.
Al-Ajlan reports verbatim (as translated into English): “#Alhilal reaches an agreement with the Scottish “Richard Hughes” to take on the role of sporting director for Al-Hilal Club, and the terms have been agreed upon between both parties, with only the contract signing remaining.
“In the event of signing, Richard Hughes’ assistant team will begin working immediately, with him starting his duties next summer.”
??????? .. #?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????????? "??????? ????" ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? . https://t.co/KMkV9H3yAU pic.twitter.com/ge4EBA0nNm
— ???? ??????? (@ahmad2man) March 16, 2026
If true, this marks a massive move in Fenway Sports Group’s management of state of affairs this season. Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League after 30 games, eliminated from the Carabao Cup, on the verge of suffering the same fate in the Champions League with hopes of winning the FA Cup similarly dim based on recent form.
In their last ten games in all competition, this is Liverpool’s form:
- Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
- Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)
- Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
- Liverpool 3-0 Brighton (FA Cup)
- Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
- Liverpool 5-2 West Ham (Premier League)
- Wolves 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League
- Wolves 1-3 Liverpool (FA Cup)
- Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool (Champions League)
- Liverpool 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)
Replacing Hughes and Slot, And what this means for Liverpool’s summer transfer plans
This news is unverified, but if Al-Ahlan’s claims bear fruit, Liverpool fans will learn fairly soon what will happen next. Sporting directors plan transfers several months in advance, so Liverpool will have plans in place already for the summer ahead.
?| @Simon_Hughes__: "There are three senior figures whose contracts are running out at the same time (Slot, Edwards, Hughes). If Liverpool are thinking about making a change about Slot, any manager or agent is going to want to know whether those guys that are hiring are sticking… pic.twitter.com/VUIO5WLq8h
— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) March 16, 2026
Liverpool now face the likelihood that they will replace their manager and sporting director in the same transfer window. This is a dire situation, and will have major bearing on both their contract renewal attempts and player recruitment.
The likes of Dominik Szoboszlai are in talks over new deals and his comments after the shambolic 1-1 draw with Spurs do not suggest overwhelming faith in the immediate and mid-term prospects at current viewing.
Likewise, how many elite players will have watched Liverpool this season with the conclusion they are on the verge of fulfilling their individual career goals? Not many.
