Liverpool is searching for its fifth sporting director since 2022 following Richard Hughes' recent departure and could now rival Tottenham for one of its leading targets
Former Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes during a Premier League match
Richard Hughes has left his role as sporting director of Liverpool(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool could join the race for Italian sporting director Piero Ausilio, who is a target for Premier League rival Tottenham, according to reports this week.
The Reds are on the hunt to recruit their fifth sporting director since 2022 following the recent exit of Richard Hughes to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. The Scot initially joined the club in 2024 and oversaw the appointment of former head coach Arne Slot, as well as current boss Andoni Iraola.
He was also behind the club's flurry of spending last summer, in which Liverpool signed Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, among others. He also signed Bradley Barcola in the most recent transfer window but sanctioned high-profile exits for Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones.
While he did secure new contracts for midfield duo Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai during his tenure, he failed to tie down Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate in recent times. It has been reported by the BBC that the search for a new sporting director is being overseen by Mike Gordon, the president of Fenway Sports Group.
The article adds that the club is keen to make a swift appointment in order to avoid any uncertainty. Liverpool will consider internal candidates, although it is also said to be open to appointing someone from outside of the club, with the focus on finding someone who is committed for the long term.
That could be former Inter Milan sporting director Ausilio, if an update from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is to be believed. Speaking on Sky Italia this week, he noted the interest from Tottenham but insisted a deal is not in place and Liverpool could enter the equation.
"Ausilio? He could go to the Premier League," Di Marzio explained. "I don’t think he’s that far along with Tottenham. There were talks over the summer.
Piero Ausilio, sporting director of FC Internazionale, poses with the trophy during the award ceremony following the Coppa Italia final last season
Inter Milan's former sporting director Piero Ausilio is a rumored target for Premier League clubs(Image: Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
"I wouldn’t rule out Liverpool, who lost their sporting director, who left for Saudi Arabia. A Premier League experience could be a possibility."
Ausilio dramatically left Inter a matter of weeks ago due to rumored disagreements over a renewal and wages. The 54-year-old is reportedly a target for Tottenham, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi said to be eager to work with him.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is in need of some stability after a summer of upheaval behind the scenes. Not only did Hughes depart after overseeing a managerial change, but Fenway Sports Group's CEO of football Michael Edwards quit in July after the ownership group opted to wind down its plans to adopt a multi-club model.
The start of the campaign under Iraola has been mixed, to say the least. Although the Reds are currently unbeaten across all competitions, they have won just two of their five games so far.