Richard Hughes tipped for Liverpool exit at end of season to link up with former teammate

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesRichard HughesLiverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly being linked with an Anfield exit with a possible move to reunite with a former teammate at a new club this summer.Richard Hughes has been linked with a job in Saudi Arabia(Image: Getty)Richard Hughes is being linked with a Liverpool exit, with reports suggesting the sporting director could leave Anfield at the end of the season to reunite with former teammate Simon Francis.Hughes has faced mounting speculation over his future at Liverpool in recent months, with sections of the fanbase questioning whether he is the right figure to oversee a crucial phase of squad rebuilding. Although still relatively early in his tenure as sporting director, Hughes has come under increasing scrutiny following criticism of Liverpool’s transfer business during the summer of 2025.Some supporters believe the club failed to assemble a fully balanced squad, with ongoing concerns surrounding depth, squad structure and whether recruitment decisions have adequately prepared the team for the future.READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Bradley Barcola latest, Marcos Senesi announcementREAD MORE: Chelsea locker room stance on Xabi Alonso appointment as board accepts job demandsAccording to The i Paper, Hughes is expected to leave Liverpool following the upcoming summer transfer window to take up a new position with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

The move would reportedly see Hughes reunite with Francis.The pair previously worked closely together at Bournemouth. After retiring from playing, Francis moved into Bournemouth’s recruitment department and was appointed assistant technical director in June 2021 under Hughes, before eventually succeeding him as technical director in 2024.Hughes and Francis also shared the pitch during their playing days, featuring together for Bournemouth between 2012 and 2014 as part of Eddie Howe’s squad before both later transitioned into senior off-field roles.Following an interview with Simone Inzaghi, La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that Hughes has already agreed to join Al Hilal.

However reports suggest that the rumor is completely false with the sporting director said to “100% committed” to Liverpool.Richard Hughes has been linked with reuniting with Simon Francis(Image: Getty Images)Al Hilal reportedly remains confident of appointing Hughes, even if it is required to wait until his contract at Liverpool expires in 2027. The push to recruit the former Bournemouth director is said to be strongly backed by incoming majority owner Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud.Its also worth noting that Arne Slot along with Hughes are making preparations for the next campaign.