FSG set for 'discussions' with new Liverpool owners to replace key man
Liverpool’s Fenway Sports Group (FSG) ownership are set to work closely with the club’s new investors to help find the right replacement for Richard Hughes.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the new minority owners will be consulted about the long-term structure of the club behind the scenes.
Hughes has finally departed his role as sporting director, leaving Anfield to join up with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal after the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
Wyness believes that there is a chance that the Liverpool hierarchy opt for a pretty drastic change of direction, after a few rocky transfer windows in recent years.
Hughes’ departure has left a big hole in the recruitment team on Merseyside, but the club hierarchy are already working to ensure that they bring in the best possible replacement.
The new consortium backed by Jeff Bezos and Amit Bhatia are not in control of the club at the moment, but their stance is still set to be taken into account.
New Liverpool ownership ready to 'make their mark'
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that this could be the moment when the new investment group truly start to “make their mark” at Liverpool.
Their deal to buy a 30 per cent stake in the club includes the option for a full takeover within the next 12 months, and Wyness has previously told Football Insider that he expects that scenario to play out.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained why he expects them to have a say in the process of replacing Hughes.
"The interesting thing, of course, is that with the new minority ownership coming in with Amit Bhatia, Jeff Bezos and that whole group, they will have a big say in how this is going to be restructured,” Wyness said.
"While they're only minority owners, they and Fenway are going to have some pretty interesting discussions, and I'd love to be a fly on the wall for those as to how things should be set up going forward.
"It could mean that there's a whole different attitude to how they wish to handle things compared to what they've had in the past, because we all know the last couple of windows for Liverpool haven't been the brightest that they've had.
"So maybe it is time for a change, but this could be where the new ownership group really starts to make their mark."
Liverpool make Alisson Becker contract decision
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Liverpool are not currently planning to hand a new contract to goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The veteran gloveman is out of contract at Anfield next summer, and while the door is not fully closed on an extension, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he pens new terms.
Brown believes that Liverpool are keen to try and bring in a younger and more reliable option between the posts, despite everything that Alisson has done for them.
The Brazilian has endured a difficult start to the new campaign, and has been dropped from his national team ahead of the upcoming international break.