Richard Hughes holds Roberto De Zerbi in high regard, and this admiration could sway Liverpool’s choice in appointing the next manager, especially if De Zerbi stands out positively among other potential contenders.
As per a report by Paul Joyce in The Times, Hughes previously made efforts to recruit De Zerbi as the manager for Bournemouth following Scott Parker’s departure in 2022.
Unfortunately, due to a delay in the club’s change of ownership, Brighton & Hove Albion managed to secure De Zerbi’s services instead. However, De Zerbi remains in contention for the role of Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.
While Hughes, with the support of Michael Edwards, will oversee the appointment process, he is not expected to micromanage the decisions of the new manager.
Despite the missed opportunity for Bournemouth, there are uncertainties regarding whether De Zerbi’s style and caliber align with Liverpool’s requirements.
Nevertheless, Hughes’ connections present promising opportunities for the club in their pursuit of a new manager. Finding a successor to Klopp poses a formidable challenge, necessitating someone capable of introducing their own unique approach and imprinting their football style on the team. Yet, with Hughes leveraging his contacts, Liverpool may have access to a robust pool of candidates for this critical decision.