Liverpool’s sporting director has spoken about his relationship with head coach Arne Slot.
Richard Hughes insists that that he had ‘synergy’ with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot from the moment they started working together.
Slot was appointed Jurgen Klopp’s successor at the end of the 2023-24 season. Hughes, who arrived as sporting director in the same period, was part of the process when appointing Slot.
The Dutchman was a relatively unheralded figure, having guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup. However, i his maiden season, Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title. The Reds won the English championship for a record-equalling 20th time with four matches to spare.
However, their defence has been poor this campaign, with Liverpool sitting sixth in the Premier League table. As a result, pressure has built on Slot’s role in the Anfield hot seat, with some sections of fans calling for a change.
However, speaking for the first time since Slot’s unveiling in July 2024, Hughes insists that the pair are still very much trying to ‘achieve’ success together.
What’s been said
“Fundamentally, there’s the understanding for both parties that everyone at wide, everything that involves match day team selection tactics, that is always the manager/head coach,” said Hughes on the latest episode of The Reds Roundtable.
“That’s their domain and I think it’s very important not to spill into that unless of course we talk about football and of course we talk about performances but I always let Arne lead that. So I don’t think naturally within a conversation, I will come up with an opinion. But you have to have an opinion… you can’t shy away from that.
“Once you have got the right person and believe in that person, the judgment is not something that’s happening definitely not on a daily basis. You are working to achieve something together and did it help we came in at the same time? Possibly, probably.
“It’s more important that we have synergy right from the first moment, understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work, trying your best - it’s not always possible to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools they require.
“That’s what I feel my job is then, it’s not just a supportive role where you’re absorbing communication. You’re then [going] what can we do about it, how does it fit into the club ethos and try to generally put this man in as good a position as possible to do what he’s done since he started being a head coach.
“There’s great humility about Arne and a great communicator. He’s come to a country and constantly has to do interview, perhaps more than training sessions at times, it feels. That humility, you can’t kid it. Absolutely no ego, really high work ethic, drive and motivation, which very much fits into the club ethos.”
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