Fenway Sports Group (FSG) CEO of Football Michael Edwards has explained why Richard Hughes is the ‘right person’ for the Liverpool Sporting Director job.
Hughes will take over from Jörg Schmadtke who left the Reds at the end of the January transfer window, having moved to Anfield last June to oversee the club’s football operations department and leading on incoming and outgoing transfers.
The 44-year-old will be joining the Reds after a successful tenure as technical director at AFC Bournemouth, where he spent a decade overseeing the football operations of the south-coast club.
Hughes will assume his duties officially at the AXA Training Centre on June 1, in preparation for the 2024-25 campaign.
His appointment comes under the guidance of Michael Edwards, who was recently appointed CEO of Football for Fenway Sports Group.
Notably, Hughes and Edwards previously collaborated during Hughes’ playing career at Portsmouth.
Throughout his career, the former Scotland international amassed over 300 appearances, primarily as a midfielder for both Portsmouth and Bournemouth.
Edwards told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m delighted Richard has agreed to join us in this vitally important position.
“I’ve known him for half of my life in a professional and personal capacity and he is absolutely someone who embodies the best values of Liverpool FC. I trust him completely.
“He has outstanding judgement and a track record of making smart decisions which benefit the organisations he represents.
“Both Richard and I are aware of the weight of responsibility that comes with working in this capacity for a club such as this. The fact he is excited and energised by the challenge ahead is important.
“It is clear to everyone that Jürgen will leave a legacy to build upon and in Richard we have the right person to make the key decisions and offer the leadership to take us forward into a bright future.
“As one very successful chapter will come to a close for Liverpool in the summer, the objective of everyone here is for another one to begin – and with Richard I am confident we have the right person in position for us to achieve this aim.”
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