Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who rarely gives interviews, broke his silence after the end of the January transfer window and reiterated his position on Arne Slott.
Richard Hughes talks about Arn Slott (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has spoken openly about his relationship with manager Arne Slott and is “absolutely confident” their big-money signing will pay off. Hughes, 46, arrived at Anfield with Slott in the summer of 2024 and after a quiet first season together on the transfer front, Liverpool have made a splash this term.
The Reds spent a record £449m on new signings, half of which was recouped through the departure of a number of key players. However, Liverpool are sixth in the Premier League table and Slott is under intense scrutiny as their title defense falters.
Former Bournemouth manager Hughes opened up about his relationship with the Dutchman, explaining: “It’s basically understood by everyone on both sides and wide that everything to do with match days, team selection and tactics is always the domain of the manager or the head coach. That’s their domain. It’s very important not to get into that.”
Hughes continued: “Of course we talk about football and performance, but I always let Arn take the lead. Naturally, in the conversation I come up with opinions and I don’t just react to Arn’s opinions, but it’s important to always wait for the right moment to share these things.”
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Hughes was speaking on the latest episode of Reds Roundtable, which was released the day after the January transfer window closed. Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan and Mr Slott were also present, and said: “We have spoken almost every day since the launch and we have gotten to know each other better.”
“What I really like about working for a sports director is that whenever I need him, he’s there for me. But I don’t always feel like every decision I’m making is being judged by him. He might be, but then he finds a really good way to hide it!”
“You want back-up and advice when you need it, but you don’t want to always have two eyes on every decision you make. I think Richard has found that balance really well, allowing me to work in ideal conditions.”
“I’ve worked with sporting directors who are very passionate about the players they sign, but what’s special about Richard is that he’s not just focused on the players he signs, he’s there for Liverpool to win, not for his own signing to work out.
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Arne Slott faces calls for his sacking (Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
“That’s not something you always see in a sporting director. To say he has a low ego is an understatement.”
Hughes also addressed Liverpool’s transfer business, insisting there has always been an understanding within the club that players like Florian Wertz, who was signed for £116m, need time to perform as well as they have in recent weeks. “You always have to try to help people off the pitch adapt,” Hughes explained.
“It’s normal to expect young people coming from other countries to take time to adapt to a different type of football environment than they’re used to. It’s not necessarily foreign, but it’s different.”
“You want to be there to support them and let them find their feet instead of suffocating them. All these players are here for a very good reason, they’re top players. Everyone did their part to get them to the club, and all of us, not just me, were very happy with our summer performance.”
Florian Wirtz is starting to improve (Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“There is no feeling of exclusivity in my position, whether they are good or bad or indifferent in terms of contracts. It is a collective effort to help them translate their form that brought them to the club and become the best version of themselves.”
“As long as the players are the right players to begin with, and as long as we are absolutely sure that they are right every time we bring someone in, the performance on the pitch will follow quickly. (But) we need to make sure we don’t just focus on the new players.
“This is a team sport and just because someone new comes in, you can suddenly leave a player who has been here for many years or Federico Chiesa who has only been here for one year.”
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