Richard Hughes opens up on private FSG and Michael Edwards Liverpool talks

Richard Hughes is relishing the prospect of working alongside Fenway Sports Group and has opened up about the talks he has been having with Liverpool’s owners.

Hughes was confirmed as Liverpool's new sporting director back in March and started his new role in June. He joined the club from Bournemouth's, where he had most recently been technical director.

The 45-year-old was Michael Edwards's first appointment after he was named Fenway Sports Group's [FSG] CEO of Football. Edwards returned to working for FSG earlier this year after departing the club in 2022 following a 10-year stint at Anfield, which included six as the sporting director.

READ MORE: Richard Hughes predicts transfer 'hurry' as Liverpool take 'opportunistic' approach

READ MORE: Arne Slot expects two more Liverpool arrivals this summer

Edwards is believed to have pushed for Liverpool to make a move for Hughes upon his return to the club. The two have a professional and personal relationship spanning over 20 years, having previously worked together during Hughes's playing career at Portsmouth, when Edwards was the south coast club's head analyst under then manager Harry Redknapp.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Michael,” Hughes said on linking back up with Edwards. “In my opinion, the best British sporting director to date.

“The decision to come to Liverpool was one that I was humbled by, but it was the people that I would be working with as well that made it extra special.

“Conversations, again, daily at the minute, and they have been from quite the way out as there was a fair bit to do to hit the ground running, Arne’s appointment being the most important thing to get right.

“Since then, and like with Arne, it has been more logistics and forward planning, but very much looking forward to working with Michael and the ownership group as a whole.”