Liverpool are on the hunt for a new sporting director for the fifth time since 2022, following the confirmed departure of Richard Hughes to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Hughes, who joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024, informed the club earlier this year of his desire for a new challenge.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG) President Mike Gordon is leading the process to find Hughes' successor, with Liverpool aiming for a swift appointment. The club is considering both internal and external candidates, with a preference for a long-term commitment.
Among the potential candidates are David Woodfine, Hughes' former assistant and Liverpool's director of loans, and Julian Ward, who previously served as Liverpool's sporting director from 2022 to 2023 and is now FSG's technical director. Pedro Marques, FSG's director of football development, is also a candidate.
The new sporting director will face several key decisions, including the contract situations of Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, whose deals expire next summer. Losing both experienced players would carry risk for the club. Additionally, the new director will need to address the midfield, which was not strengthened over the summer, and build a relationship with manager Andoni Iraola, who signed a two-year deal.