Richard Hughes will likely join Newcastle United instead of Liverpool after leaving Bournemouth due to his connection with Eddie Howe.
According to a report by The Independent, Richard Hughes is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds are in the market for a new sporting director and have set their sights on him. But the 44-year-old transfer guru, who will leave Bournemouth when the 2023/24 season ends, will likely join Newcastle United instead of the Merseyside club.
Richard Hughes went under the radar during his time as a footballer. A graduate of Arsenal’s fabled youth division, he could never establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the North London squad. Instead, the Glaswegian enjoyed solid spells with Bournemouth and Portsmouth, doing well as a holding midfielder.
The 44-year-old called time on his career as a footballer in 2014 but remained in the game. He stayed with Bournemouth after retiring at the Vitality Stadium, joining the recruitment team during Eddie Howe’s stint as a manager. Hughes gradually rose through the ranks before becoming the Technical Director at the English club.
But Hughes will leave Bournemouth when the 2023/24 season ends, with the Cherries announcing his impending departure with an official statement this week. But he will likely land a big job soon, with Liverpool and Newcastle United vying for his signature.
Liverpool’s interest in Richard Hughes comes in the wake of Jorg Schmadtke’s departure from the club. With Jurgen Klopp also leaving the Merseyside outfit, they will enter a new era with a new manager and a sporting director. Several candidates, including Frederic Massara, have thus emerged on Liverpool’s radar, with Michael Edwards being a viable target.
But Hughes is also a viable target for Liverpool, although the Reds face a losing battle for the 44-year-old’s signature. Newcastle United will likely win the race to sign the Scottish transfer guru due to his connection with Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United will see Dan Ashworth joining Manchester United once the two clubs seal an agreement on compensation. So, they needed a new sporting director, with Hughes being their solution. As for Liverpool, the Reds have several options on their wishlist, and it will be interesting to see who they land in the coming weeks.
