Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes has announced that he will be stepping down from his post amid reported interest from Liverpool.
Liverpool owners FSG are looking to appoint a sporting director after Jorg Schmadtke’s short spell with the Reds ended after the January transfer window. Schmadtke’s predecessor Julian Ward resigned last year, shortly after taking over the role from Michael Edwards.
The ECHO has previously reported that Hughes is one of three possible candidates for Liverpool, alongside West Ham United’s Tim Steidten and recent Roma general manager Tiago Pinto. In a club statement on Tuesday, Bournemouth confirmed that Hughes, who became technical director in 2016, will be leaving the Cherries at the end of the season.
“As technical director, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented and dedicated individuals the game can offer. It’s been ten challenging, enjoyable and rewarding years in this post,” Hughes said.
“The journey we have been on, as a club, is nothing short of remarkable. Where we are currently, on and off the pitch, assures me the future is bright.”
“The club requires a healthy lead-up time to plan for the summer and beyond so this is the right time to announce that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” he added.
Hughes spent two spells with Bournemouth during his playing career and joined the club’s recruitment staff shortly after his retirement in 2014, becoming technical director two years later. The timing of this decision will fuel suggestions that Hughes could be set to join another Premier League club.
The 44-year-old is well-known to Liverpool, given the transfer dealings between the two clubs during Hughes’ tenure. However, the ex-Scotland international has previously been linked with a move to Newcastle United, who face a battle to keep their technical director Dan Ashworth following interest from Manchester United.
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