Liverpool told they're getting a winner with 'extremely high' IQ; 'he will flourish'

A former Bournemouth scout has detailed exactly why Richard Hughes ‘will flourish’ as the new sporting director at Liverpool. Hughes will officially take the role on June 1st.

Des Taylor worked as chief scout at Bournemouth for many years and is someone who knows exactly how Richard Hughes works. Hughes, of course, will leave the Cherries in the summer and take up the role of sporting director at Liverpool.

He will arrive as Michael Edwards’ first major piece of business since returning to the Reds – and it’s one that should shape the future at Anfield. Hughes isn’t just someone with a strong reputation, after all, but also a long-time friend of Edwards, with the two having first worked together at Portsmouth in the early 2000s.

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But Taylor is adamant that Hughes is impressive even without that link.

“Richard is multi-lingual – fluent in Italian and French – and he has a high academic IQ but also an extremely high footballing IQ in terms of leadership, negotiation and technical observation,” Taylor told the BBC.

He then went on to make it clear that Hughes isn’t merely someone who follows data – it’s merely a part of his approach. It’s an approach that will suit Liverpool, too.

“Richard isn’t data-led or data-driven, but he’s data-influenced, which is pivotal to the blueprint that Michael Edwards has implemented at Liverpool,” said Taylor.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Richard will be a success at Liverpool. With Michael by his side, he will flourish”.

Richard Hughes set for success at Liverpool

Liverpool couldn’t really ask for more from a new sporting director. Someone with a reputation in the game, who has worked in the Premier League for years, and who embraces the philosophy that Edwards wants at the club.

Of course, the latter is the most important – and exactly why Edwards moved to hire his friend.

So while the people at Liverpool will look different later this year, the ideas at the club should remain the same or very similar. That’s the important thing and as Hughes moves to stamp his plans on the club, they shouldn’t look too different to what’s already brought success.

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