Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s new sporting director, is a huge fan of two players who might replace Xabi Alonso. The selection of the Reds’ new manager is imminent.
Richard Hughes was named as Liverpool’s new sporting director on Wednesday. Given that Hughes had already made the decision to leave Bournemouth at the end of the current campaign, the appointment was generally anticipated.
Hughes will now assume leadership at Anfield, if not before June 1st. With the appointment, the Reds can now go forward with their search for the next manager of Liverpool, replacing Jurgen Klopp.
The club has postponed its search in order to focus on hiring a sporting director. After completing that, individuals can now “accelerate their search,” according to the Telegraph.
And that might simply imply a concentration on two Xabi Alonso substitutes in particular.
HUGHES RICHARD TO ATTEND LIVERPOOL
At Liverpool, Xabi Alonso is the front-runner to take over—or at least, he is on their short list. He is by no means the only name on it, though.
However, two names that might get more attention are those that have actual ties to Hughes. The first is Roberto De Zerbi, the Brighton manager who has been connected to the position ever since Klopp declared his resignation.
Furthermore, according to a story in The Times, Hughes attempted to sign De Zerbi for Bournemouth, but he was deprived of his opportunity due to an untimely ownership change. The Italian, instead, headed to Brighton.
Eddie Howe is clearly connected as well. Hughes and Howe were close colleagues at Bournemouth, but their friendship dates back to their time spent together at Portsmouth. The Times again describes how they were part of a ‘core group’ at Pompey that looked for analysis, together with current Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Michael Edwards (who was once a Liverpool coach).
End of the month claims from The Athletic stated that Howe and De Zerbi were both well-liked at Anfield, but neither was anticipated to’make the final shortlist’. Hughes’ arrival could alter that, though, as he is a fan of both, and these two options have genuine backing in case the Reds are unable to sign Alonso.
