Liverpool confirmed Richard Hughes' exit last week as the club's sporting director left to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, just over two years after arriving at Anfield
Andoni Iraola speaking during a Champions League press conference
Andoni Iraola speaking during a Champions League press conference
Andoni Iraola has admitted he wasn’t surprised by Richard Hughes’ departure as Liverpool’s sporting director.
Hughes’ exit was confirmed by the club at the weekend, just four days after the transfer window closed, and only a little over two years on from him being officially confirmed in his role at Anfield. His move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal has since been confirmed, with fellow Liverpool colleagues Mark Burchill and Craig McKee joining him.
The Scot’s departure had been expected for some time, having been touted at the start of the summer, shortly after Iraola was reunited with him after their time at Bournemouth.
Hughes is just one of the high profile exits to have occurred in recent months, with Arne Slot having been fired as head coach at the end of May before FSG’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards left his position.
“It wasn’t a surprise when the news came last weekend,” Iraola admitted when speaking ahead of Liverpool’s opening Champions League game against Atletico Madrid this week.
“Richard, with Michael, people who I think are very good in their jobs, they understand very well what they need to do and I wish him all the best in his next stages.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 09: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Academy director Alex Inglethorpe, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool during an U21 training session at AXA Training Centre on July 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Richard Hughes with Andoni Iraola at Liverpool's training ground(Image: Getty Images)
“I think now, the club, we are still working with the people that have been taking the decisions this summer, I have a continuous connection especially with Mike Gordon, we talk about the needs and who will keep working.”
Iraola added: “Now, it’s a matter of the club deciding the next step, where to go, the next direction. I think a lot of the people involved in the decisions, they are still with us every day, and I continue talking with them.
“But it’s true that, for Richard, I can only speak very well about him, and I wish him all the best now in his next adventure.”
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Liverpool confirmed in its statement announcing Hughes’ exit that it has begun its search for his replacement, and hopes to announce an appointment “in due course”.
According to The Athletic, the club is expected to look at internal candidates to replace Hughes, but is not ruling out a new appointment.
Internally, there would appear to be some obvious candidates who could be considered. FSG technical director, Julian Ward, for instance, has already done the role, holding the position in 2022/23.
Liverpool's current assistant sporting director, David Woodfine, is another who would appear to be logical to consider, as well as Pedro Marques, who is FSG’s director of football development.