'Richard Hughes has now taken his side' - Expert: Liverpool board divided over key decision
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(Credit: Imago) Liverpool: ‘Richard Hughes has now taken his side’ as fracture emerges in Anfield boardroom Fri 24 April 2026 8:00, UK Liverpool manager Arne Slot could still be in charge at Anfield next season, according to Keith Wyness.The former Everton chief executive, speaking to Football Insider, believes sporting director Richard Hughes will be backing Slot to stay at the club.Hughes will not be moving to Saudi Arabia, and will stay at Anfield during the summer transfer window, alongside head of football Michael Edwards.Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli were both interested in poaching Hughes, who is contracted at Liverpool until 2027.Hughes was a key figure in bringing Slot to Liverpool, and the Dutchman’s future is in doubt on Merseyside as the Reds have underachieved on the pitch this season despite spending over £400million on players last summer. 📋 Liverpool Manager News 📋 Get the inside track on the Anfield dugout with real-time updates on shortlisted candidates, live betting market shifts, and key boardroom decisions. VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Liverpool taking ‘risk’ with managerial changeEverton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Hughes will “argue the case” for Slot remaining as Liverpool manager next season.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that no decision has been made on Slot’s future, and Xabi Alonso could still takeover at Anfield.Games Managed52Games Won27Games Drawn7Games Lost18Arne Slot’s stats in charge of Liverpool this season.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “This points more to the politics above Arne Slot right now, with Richard Hughes deciding to stay at Liverpool, or at least not move to Saudi.
There’s still a debate internally at the higher levels of Liverpool as to whether that’s going to be the case. It’s not a done deal that Arne Slot is going to be there next season, and I see that Richard Hughes has now taken his side in those debates and certainly, at the top, they’re going to make a decision.“As any club at that level, instability and a manager change brings risks with it, and it will depend on the candidates that they’re looking at.
That’s the decision yet to be made. It’s swinging back slightly towards Arne Slot being there, but it’s not a done deal by any means.”Arne Slot faces mass exodus of playersIt looks set to be a summer of change for Slot, if he remains as manager, as sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool could lose seven players in the transfer window.That does not include Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have already confirmed they will be leaving the club at the end of the season.Liverpool have yet to tie Ibrahima Konate down to a new contract, but the Frenchman is now expected to remain at the club.The likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones could be among the stars to leave, which could bring in sizeable transfer fees to boost Slot’s budget. 🔴 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Liverpool Insider Access Get the full story from Anfield and the AXA Training Centre with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Merseyside.