Roma swoop for Bournemouth’s technical director Richard Hughes

Roma are interested in appointing Richard Hughes, Bournemouth’s technical director, to a role at Stadio Olimpico next season.

The Italian club, who sacked Jose Mourinho as manager last month, have been looking at options for a sporting director following the departure of Tiago Pinto, who left the club at the end of the January transfer window.

Hughes, 44, is on the Serie A club’s radar after almost a decade working behind the scenes at Dean Court as an important part of their recruitment team, having finished his playing career there in 2014.

The former Scotland international grew up in Italy and started at Atalanta’s academy before moving to Arsenal, then later beginning his senior career at Bournemouth.

During his time in Bournemouth’s recruitment department he helped put together Eddie Howe’s team. His signings include Dominic Solanke, who has scored 16 goals this season, Aaron Ramsdale and Callum Wilson.

Hughes’s future at Bournemouth has appeared uncertain this season but there has been no confirmation of a move yet.

He has been linked with other Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United, although it is understood they are considering working through the summer transfer window with their existing structure while Dan Ashworth is on gardening leave. That would see Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment, have an important role ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Liverpool have been looking for a new sporting director, although Hughes has not been strongly linked with that role and recent focus has been on whether Michael Edwards would return to Anfield.

Roma previously had Spanish sporting director Monchi in charge of their transfers between 2017 and 2019, with the former Sevilla man now at Aston Villa. After reaching the Europa League final last season, Roma sacked Mourinho in January and also announced Pinto’s departure after three years in the job.