20 March 2024 , 12:07
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Liverpool have appointed Richard Hughes as their new sporting director as the club make their first hire after announcing Michael Edwards would become chief executive of football at Anfield.
Hughes will join from Bournemouth, where he has been part of the recruitment set up since 2014. The Cherries confirmed earlier in March that the 44-year-old would depart Dean Court at the end of the season.
That will see Hughes arrive on Merseyside at the same time as former sporting director Edwards. Liverpool have been without anyone in the role since the departure of Jorg Schmadtke earlier this year.
Schmadtke was only ever on a short term deal to replace Julian Ward. The latter was Edwards' replacement but stayed in the role for less than 12 months.
As a player, Hughes enjoyed two spells with Bournemouth and made 185 appearances for the club over six years on the south coast. The former pro served as first-team technical director from 2016.
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On his appointment, Hughes said: “I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity.
“People rightly talk about the rich history this organisation can boast, but it is the present and future which really excites me. Jürgen Klopp is leading an outstanding team and squad and alongside that the commitment to young players and their pathway to the first team is also outstanding.
“I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking this position. It will be my job, working with Michael [Edwards] and leading the football operations team already in place, plus the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.
“That’s really what the job entails: you have to make the kind of good decisions which enhance the prospects of having a team that wins and excites the supporters. It is what Liverpool have done well for a very long time and the benefits are there for everyone to see.”
Michael Edwards (left) has returned to Anfield tasked with finding Jurgen Klopp's replacement at Liverpool (Getty Images)Liverpool's new chief will have to hit the ground running as alongside Edwards as he is required to set the team up for success under a new manager. Jurgen Klopp is to depart the club at the end of the season while the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk set to enter the final year of their contracts.
Edwards added: “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.
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“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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