Richard Hughes has been named sporting director of Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club confirmed on Sunday, after his exit from Liverpool.
Hughes, 47, moved to Liverpool in 2024 from Bournemouth. He appointed Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s successor as head coach, a decision that produced immediate results as Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2024-25. Slot was dismissed and replaced by Andoni Iraola in June.
“The appointment of Hughes is 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 reflects Al-Hilal’s effort to bring in expertise from 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 Arabia.
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