With the appointment of new sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool FC have made a second important personnel decision. Now the most exciting one can be tackled
When Jürgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool FC next summer, it was also clear to Jörg Schmadtke that he would be leaving the club. He had worked alongside Klopp as sporting director for eight months and – as shown by the League Cup victory and further title chances in the Premier and Europa Leagues – had not made any bad decisions on the transfer market despite all the prophecies of doom over the summer.
Since Wednesday, it has been clear who will succeed Schmadtke, who left at the end of the winter transfer window, for the new season: 44-year-old Richard Hughes, most recently technical director at first division club AFC Bournemouth, will take over as sporting director on June 1. This means that Michael Edwards, who returned to the Reds as soccer CEO around a week ago, has successfully clarified one of his first desired appointments
Football CEO Edwards: “I’ve known him half my life “
“I’m delighted that Richard has agreed to take on this important position,” said Edwards, who was Liverpool’s sporting director for six years until the summer of 2022. “I’ve known him for half my life, both professionally and personally, and he is someone who embodies the best values of Liverpool FC. I trust him completely. “
Hughes, a former Scotland international, was once employed alongside Edwards at Portsmouth FC. “He has excellent judgment and a track record of making smart decisions,” said Edwards. The two can now tackle the most exciting one together: Who will succeed coach Klopp?
“With a very successful chapter for Liverpool coming to an end in the summer, the aim of everyone here is to start a new one – and I’m confident that in Richard we have the right person to achieve that goal,” explains Edwards. “It’s clear to everyone that Jürgen will leave a legacy that we can build on. “
