- He is the current technical director for Bournemouth
- Bournemouth announced that he will leave at the end of the season
- He will be succeeded by his assistant Simon Francis
Bournemouth’s technical director Richard Hughes is set to leave at the end of the season, an announcement that was made by the club’s chairman Bill Foley and he will be succeeded by his former assistant and club captain Simon Francis.
He alerted the club last season about his intentions to leave and gave them enough time to prepare for his departure, as he embarks on a new challenge that is linked to Italian clubs, with Liverpool and Newcastle United showing interest.
Bill Foley appreciates Hughes’s contributions to the club, including delivering competitive teams over the nine years he has served them, making them stand as a Premier League club. Hughes retired from playing professional football in 2014 and was part of Bournemouth’s recruiting team before he became their technical director.
Playing in Italy as a youth player with Atlanta, his knowledge about Italy helped him sign Bournemouth’s players from Serie A and has been praised for the club’s recruitment in recent years.
His successor Simon Francis has been in the club for the last thirteen years, as a player and also a part of the recruitment department, transitioning from the Premier League player to a senior scouting role, and in the last three years, he was Hughes’s assistant.
The club was convinced that having worked under Hughes, Richard had the experience needed in the field and was ready to take up the task from his predecessor.
Richard Hughes Biography
Richard Hughes is a former Scottish footballer and is the current technical director of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth. The former player was born in Scotland and started his professional career as a youth player at Italian Serie A club Atlanta.
Richard Hughes. Photo/The Telegraph
He spent five years with Arsenal as a youth player but didn’t break into the first team. His playing career revolves around two clubs, Portsmouth and AFC Bournemouth. He played for the latter club for a significant period.
During his time with Bournemouth, he was on loan stints with Grimsby Town and Portsmouth for four seasons and represented the Scotland national team in international tournaments.
He retired from professional football in 2014 and transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role at the club, with his effort earning him a position as the club’s technical director.
Richard Hughes career
Richard Hughes’ career began as a professional footballer, and then he transitioned to a technical director. His professional career began in Scotland when he joined the youth team at Atlanta, an Italian Serie A club.
He then joined Arsenal’s youth team for five years but was not fortunate to secure a spot in the first team. The player signed with AFC Bournemouth where he established himself, playing a significant role for four seasons.
Seeking new experiences, he made a move to Portsmouth and during this period, he had a loan spell at Grimsby Town in League Two. In 2008, he returned to Bournemouth for another six seasons.
Throughout his playing career, Richard earned five caps for the Scotland national team and retired from professional football in 2014.
Hughes’s retirement and role at Bournemouth
Richard retired from professional football in 2014 and with the club recognizing his experience and expertise, they offered him a role behind the scenes, working in the recruiting team.
His dedication and valuable insights led him to become the club’s Technical Director, where he plays a role in making decisions that shape the club’s future.
Richard Hughes. Photo/Newcastle United-SB Nation
He expressed the intention of leaving the club soon, a decision that has been linked with the vacant Sporting director position at Liverpool FC. The gap is likely to be filled by his assistant Simon Francis.
Why is Hughes Leaving Bournemouth?
There is a possibility that Hughes wants to pursue other opportunities within the world of football. He has been linked with vacant positions at Liverpool FC and Italian clubs as a potential Sporting director, signifying his desire for a new challenge with greater responsibilities.
It could also be based on a mutual agreement with Bournemouth, perhaps he felt it was the right time to move on, and the club acknowledged and respected his decision.
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