Reports emerging from Saudi Arabia suggest that Richard Hughes, the current sporting director at Liverpool F.C., has reached an agreement to assume a similar position with a club in the Middle East starting in the summer of 2026.
The Scottish executive joined Anfield two years ago after leaving AFC Bournemouth, where he oversaw nearly £450 million in new signings during last summer’s transfer window. He also played a key role in securing contract renewals for stars such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Ryan Gravenberch over the past year.
However, new claims circulating within the last 24 hours indicate the 46-year-old’s future at Liverpool could be uncertain.
Al-Hilal reportedly reach agreement with Hughes
On Monday night, Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan reported on X that Al‑Hilal have reached an agreement with Hughes to become their sporting director. According to the report, both sides have settled terms, with only the formal signing of the contract remaining. Hughes is said to begin collaborating with the Saudi Pro League side soon, ahead of officially starting his duties in the summer.
Liverpool may face another leadership shake-up
For now, the reports should be treated cautiously until confirmed by reliable sources closer to Merseyside. Still, it’s worth noting that the same journalist previously claimed last Halloween that Al-Hilal were in advanced talks to recruit Hughes, suggesting the latest rumor did not arise entirely without precedent.
If the move does materialize
- , it would extend a period of instability in the sporting director role at Liverpool. Since the departure of Michael Edwards in 2022, the position has changed hands several times, with Julian Ward and Jörg Schmadtke both serving brief spells before Hughes’ appointment.While some supporters have criticized Hughes’ performance since arriving from Bournemouth, losing another sporting director so close to the upcoming summer transfer window would present a significant challenge for the club’s ownership group. For now, attention will remain on whether more authoritative sources confirm the developing story.
