Richard Hughes will be taking up the post of sporting director of Liverpool as already confirmed by the club after impressing as Bournemouth technical director.
The summer of 2024 will see a lot of changes happening at the Merseyside club. The major change will be the departure of Jurgen Klopp followed by Arne Slot’s takeover.
This transition would definitely mean that the new manager will be taking some serious actions regarding the team and transfers.
The newly appointed sporting director Richard Hughes will be assisting the Dutchman in his pursuit of signing players.
Success Of Richard Hughes Before Liverpool Job
The former AFC Bournemouth player midfielder has been the technical director of his former club since 2014.
The Scotsman took one of the most controversial decisions in the PL last summer when he sacked Gary O’Neil from the managerial post.
Some would have even claimed it to be more controversial than Tottenham Hotspurs selling Harry Kane or Manchester City selling Cole Palmer.
The current Wolves manager had been the assistant manager of the Cherries until Scott Parker was stripped of his duties following the famous 9-0 thrashing against Liverpool in the 2022-23 season.
The former English midfielder did a satisfactory job with the team as he acquired 13 points from 11 games which saw him securing the job. O’Neil did a good job in leading the club out of the relegation zone and securing their stay in the PL.
However, it was not enough to retain his job at the Vitality Stadium. The club authority, along with Richard Hughes took the decision of relieving O’Neil of his managerial duties.
Former Athletic Bilbao manager Andoni Iraola was handed the job. Even though it felt like a gamble at the moment, the club backed him and his system.
Gary O’Neil got the chance to fulfil his revenge when Wolves beat the Cherries 2-1 in October and embarrassed Iraola. Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast back in October, Alan Shearer said,
“Leading up to the game this week [gameweek 9], he [Gary O’Neil] would have been hoping and praying to come away from Bournemouth with three points.
He would have loved to stand there with his middle finger like that up to the directors’ box. He will never admit it, but secretly inside he will be absolutely thinking, ‘f*** you’.
That is exactly what he is thinking. They are sat in 12th position on 11 points, looking down at Bournemouth – the team that sacked him. We all thought it was a stupid and harsh decision and if Bournemouth don’t get results soon, I think they play Burnley at home next week and if they don’t get a result, you would fear for them.”
However, despite all the upsets, wins have arrived at the South Coast club and the Spanish tactician has managed to secure victories over Manchester United, Newcastle United and Brighton.
Furthermore, he also had the chance to take revenge as the Cherries defeated Wolves 1-0 in the return fixture of the PL.
Bournemouth are now sitting in the 10th position with 48 points, a PL record for the club for points acquired in single season, two points clear of Gary O’Neil’s side.
Richard Hughes has successfully proven his worth at Bournemouth. Now as the post-Klopp era will be beginning soon, his technical acumen will be tested at Liverpool under Slot’s management.
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