Richard Hughes to AC Milan? Liverpool Face Unwanted Sporting Director Noise
AC Milan Rebuild Puts Anfield Executive in Focus
Liverpool supporters have grown used to transfer rumours circling players. They are less accustomed to the same machinery turning towards executives. Yet TEAMtalk’s report that AC Milan are considering Richard Hughes as part of a major San Siro rebuild adds an intriguing layer to what already feels like a defining summer at Anfield.
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According to TEAMtalk, Milan are reshaping their football structure after a disappointing campaign, with RedBird Capital looking for new leadership behind the scenes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, still influential as a senior advisor, is understood to be involved in that search. Hughes, now Liverpool’s sporting director, has emerged as one of the names admired by the Italian giants.
For Liverpool, the timing could hardly be more awkward. Hughes arrived with a clear brief, to help shape the next era after Jürgen Klopp and support Arne Slot through a period of considerable transition. That work is only beginning to take full form.
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Hughes Profile Makes Milan Interest Understandable
Milan’s interest is not difficult to understand. Hughes has Italian roots, having grown up in Milan and spent time in Atalanta’s academy. TEAMtalk also highlights his fluency in Italian, recruitment experience and growing reputation within elite football circles.
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That combination matters. Modern sporting directors are no longer simply dealmakers. They are interpreters of identity, economics and ambition. They must understand markets, managers and ownership expectations. In that sense, Hughes would look like a natural fit for a club trying to restore order after upheaval.
His work around ambitious Liverpool deals, including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, is said to have impressed Milan. Whether every supporter agrees with the direction of Liverpool’s recruitment is another matter, but Hughes clearly has standing within the game.
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Anfield Cannot Afford Structural Uncertainty
Liverpool’s issue is not merely whether Hughes would be tempted. It is what the speculation represents. Anfield has already endured a period of enormous change, from Klopp’s departure to the arrival of Slot, a Premier League triumph followed by a trophyless campaign that has sharpened scrutiny around recruitment, coaching and squad balance.
Photo: IMAGO
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If Liverpool are to move decisively this summer, they need clarity. A sporting director cannot be half present during a major rebuild. He must be fully involved, fully empowered and fully aligned with the head coach.
TEAMtalk report that Hughes recently rejected interest from Al-Hilal and remains focused on Liverpool. That should reassure supporters, at least for now. Milan, though, are not a passing curiosity. They are one of Europe’s grand institutions, and for someone with Hughes’ personal history, any approach would carry emotional weight.
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Summer Decisions Will Define Liverpool Direction
Tiago Pinto, now at Bournemouth, is also reportedly under consideration by Milan. That suggests the Italian club are not simply chasing a name, they are searching for a Premier League hardened operator who understands complex markets.
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For Liverpool, the priority must be simple. Remove doubt. Back the structure. Make sure Hughes, Slot and FSG are operating from the same script.
The danger is not only losing an executive. It is allowing uncertainty to seep into a summer when Liverpool need precision. Milan’s admiration may flatter Hughes, but Anfield’s needs are more urgent.
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Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this is one of those stories that feels small until you consider the timing. Richard Hughes is not a player supporters sing about, but his influence over the next version of Liverpool could be enormous. After a trophyless season under Arne Slot, this summer already feels like a referendum on the club’s direction.
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The Milan link is understandable. Hughes speaks the language, knows the culture and has a football background that fits Serie A. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic and RedBird are searching for someone to modernise Milan, it makes sense they would look at Liverpool’s sporting director.
Still, Liverpool cannot be relaxed about this. The club needs joined up thinking after a year when too many supporters felt the football lacked identity and the squad looked uneven. If Hughes is central to transfers involving Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike or any other major targets, then the idea of Milan circling him is not helpful.
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The reassuring detail is TEAMtalk’s claim that Hughes rejected Al-Hilal and remains focused on Liverpool. That sounds positive. Yet football moves quickly, especially when personal ties are involved.
For fans, the message is clear, Liverpool must show ambition, stability and urgency. Losing Hughes now would not be catastrophic, but it would raise serious questions about the club’s planning. This summer needs leadership, not another layer of uncertainty.a
FIFA faces a subpoena from the states of New York and New Jersey as part of an investigation into details surrounding pricing and accuracy of seat locations for the 2026 World Cup.
In a joint release, New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said prices for the 2026 World Cup matches “far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup tournament”.
FIFA has detailed the first-time use of “dynamic pricing” to adjust ticket costs based on demand. Fan complaints, and allegations of paying for tickets in one location of the stadium but receiving a less-desirable seat, caught the attention of state officials.
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When pressed to explain why ticket prices were elevated since the initial on-sale date in October, FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the governing body on multiple fronts by pointing to the limited ticket supply for an event with worldwide demand.
Madonna, BTS, Shakira… First World Cup final half-time show
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The attorneys general confirmed they are seeking information regarding general event pricing structure, location pricing structure, seat location and other details related to the eight World Cup matches scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The July 19 World Cup final is scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium.
“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” James said in a release. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchased will be the ones they receive.”
The investigation seeks to soothe concerns for fans who’ve purchased – or hope to have an opportunity to purchase – tickets but feel misled about the final product.
“FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices – all at the expense of consumers and hard-working New Jerseyans,” Davenport said in the statement.
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James said watchdogs called on government officials for guidance resolving disputes from fans who claim to have selected a seat in one “category” of the four available at MetLife Stadium only to be assigned seats further back from the playing surface.
FIFA contributed to elements of the seating location confusion with the late introduction of a premium ticket option or “Front Category” after initial tickets had already been sold.
In addition to tickets, it will cost more than $100 to take public transport from New York, while parking spaces will cost $225.
Canelo Alvarez hopes to bounce back and reclaim world honours upon his return to action in September, and should he be successful, there is another 168lbs titleholder that is waiting in the wings for a unification clash.
When Alvarez lost his undisputed crown to Terence Crawford, the belts soon became fragmented due to the American’s retirement. Since then, Jaime Munguia has dethroned Armando Resendiz for the WBA strap, Osleys Iglesias halted Pavel Silyagin for the IBF crown and Christian Mbilli, who Canelo fights next, was elevated to full champion.
Speaking to iFL TV, Sheeraz’s promoter Frank Warren praised the efforts of both his fighter and his team over at Queensberry Promotions.
“There is a lot of work been put into him [Sheeraz] and I have got to tell you, we worked very hard to make that match for the world title, very hard. There was a lot of lobbying and that was about the best option you could get to win a world title – that is called great matchmaking and really guiding someone’s career correctly.
“Congratulations to him, he has done extremely well and we will be looking to see what the next big fight is going to be.”
Warren then went on to admit that Canelo would be the preferred next option for the Slough-born champion, if he manages to get the better of Mbilli in less than four months’ time.
“I would think that [Canelo is next on Sheeraz’s radar], but Canelo has got to win. We’ll see what Canelo has got left in the tank. It is going to be interesting.”
Sheeraz has also been linked to an appearance on the Canelo-Mbilli undercard, where he could accept a different unification by taking on Canelo’s stablemate and reigning WBA champion, Munguia.
Oliver Glasner must juggle some key injury concerns for Crystal Palace with defender Chris Richards a major doubt and Adam Wharton possibly injured after being replaced at the weekend.
Eddie Nketiah is absent with a hamstring issue while Borna Sosa could feature despite missing the Premier League finale against Arsenal. Cheick Doucoure is also out after another injury-hit campaign.
Mike Jones27 May 2026 17:18
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How can I watch?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 6.30pm BST.
A live stream will also be available via HBO Max and the HBO app.
Mike Jones27 May 2026 17:12
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When is the Conference League final?
The Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano is at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig onWednesday 27 May with kick-off at 8pm BST.
Mike Jones27 May 2026 17:06
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Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano
Last year, the Eagles won their very first major trophy by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final and they can now add a second to the cabinet with victory over the Spanish club in the Conference League final tonight.
Oliver Glasner, who is leaving Palace at the end of the season, will hope to sign off in style after overseeing a fine European campaign in which his team have overcome some tricky situations to reach the final and be in with a shot at winning silverware.
Additionally, a win for Palace would also secure them a place in the Europa League next year and give them another season in Europe despite finishing 15th in the Premier League table. However, Rayo Vallecano come into the match unbeaten in nine games and will have their sights on a trophy lift of their own.
Mike Jones27 May 2026 17:00
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Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Conference League final in which Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano will compete for European glory.
Palace have had a tumultuous route to the final, which is being played in Leipzig, Germany, but will look to send manager Oliver Glasner off in style in what will be his final match in charge.
Rayo will be stubborn opponents but Palace are favoured to win this contest though it should be a close run affair.
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We’ll have all the team news, updates and line-ups throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
Adam Azim returns to action on Saturday night, seeking a sixth straight knockout as he attempts to prove that he is ready to compete for world titles. In the opposite corner is Steve Claggett, who is expected to provide the 24-year-old with his toughest test to date and, in the eyes of his promoter, is well capable of springing the upset.
Azim remains undefeated after 14 professional bouts and is well-positioned in both the IBF and WBO ratings, sitting as the world #7 with both sanctioning bodies and closing in on a shot at world honours. This weekend, he headlines a BOXXER card at the OVO Arena in London, broadcast live on BBC2.
‘The Assassin’ is tasked with experienced Canadian Claggett, who has 50 professional fights to his name and notably went the distance with Teofimo Lopez when challenging for the WBO world title two years ago.
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Speaking to Boxing News, Claggett’s promoter, Camille Estephan, warned that his charge’s ‘energy and gas tank’ will test whether Azim is ‘for real’.
“We understand that Adam Azim is a very, very promising, good fighter, a young fighter. We have done a lot of homework on him, but I think that it is a really big test for Adam. Steve Claggett will now be the measuring stick that will show whether Adam Azim is for real and if, at the highest level, he is ready.
“Steve Claggett has proven to be able to perform at the highest level, he is not the young, up and coming fighter anymore, far from it. He wants to grab this opportunity, so this is a very important fight for Claggett.
“When you go into a fight with Steve Claggett, they say that he has the lungs of two great marathons, so he is going to have the energy and he is going to have the gas tank to really test Adam. I think it is going to be an amazing fight and I can’t wait to watch it.”
Back in December, Terence Crawford retired at the age of 38, calling time whilst on top of the sport as the pound-for-pound king and undefeated in his 42 career fights.
Crawford matched the achievements of Henry Armstrong in his final pro bout, beating Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become the first three-division undisputed champion of the four-belt era and the first of any kind since Armstrong achieved the same feat in 1938.
Despite the American being happy in retirement, Canelo has not quite given up hope of a rematch, telling Ring Magazine that he will be ready should his rival u-turn.
“I don’t know [if he will return], I am not in his shoes. I know [Turki Al-Alshikh wants to see it] and I hope that fight happens again. That is what I hope.
“I think, it will be amazing for fans too, right? For everybody, it is a big fight. I hope that fight happens again and I get my rematch.”
In the meantime, the Mexican superstar moves ahead with his career, saying:
“I am not going to wait for anybody. I have my plans already.”
If, at 35, Alvarez manages to trump the new WBC champion and win back the belt, he has said he is interested in facing the other titleholders in the division, excluding Jaime Munguia, who he now trains alongside following their fight back in 2024.
TNT Tropang 5G’s Chris McCullough during a game vs Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 4. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Chris McCullough is not dwelling too much on the struggles that marred his PBA return, this time for TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
McCullough scored 24 points but was 7-of-22 from the field as the Tropang 5G fell 101-90 to the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, which leveled their best-of-seven affair at 2-2 inside Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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The former San Miguel Beer reinforcement is confident that things will be smooth once he gets his groove going.
“I didn’t play basketball in 13 days,” said McCullough, who came over from a stint in Taiwan to serve as a permanent replacement to the injured Bol Bol. “This is my first time picking up a basketball in 13 days, so I’m still getting my rhythm, still getting my flow.
“But once I get going, it’ll be scary,” he added.
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Chris McCullough’s #PBA50 return wasn’t exactly as good as he would’ve liked it.
TNT tapped McCullough shortly after Bol went down with an Achilles injury that ended his much-publicized PBA stint. He arrived Sunday, allowing him two days to get used to the team.
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He also had nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 31 minutes for the Tropang 5G.
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“Chemistry is regular,” he said. “I know most of the guys. I’ve only been to two days in practice, so tomorrow we’re going to work on things, see what works and come back and fight it.”
Game 5 is set for Friday at the Big Dome, with the winner taking an all-important 3-2 lead.
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“Just take it one game at a time. We got a game Friday, one game at a time. Get a win and come back, and that’s it,” said McCullough.
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A Putellas arrival would not just make a statement for London City.
The WSL has never had a Ballon d’Or winner in the division and ultimately, if the league’s sixth-best team can lure Putellas, that sends an ominous message about its financial and reputational might.
Vidal believes the attraction of the WSL is seeping across Europe.
“It is clear they are paying more in England – Spain cannot compete with that,” she said. “Also, players want to be competitive every weekend. For many years, Barcelona have not had a rival.
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“There is a fear of losing all talent to England and if Alexia Putellas leaves for the WSL, that opens it up to everyone.”
This season, three English teams made the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but only Arsenal reached the semis.
In 2026-27, dominant WSL champions Manchester City will return to Europe’s premier competition, and have retained top scorer Khadija Shaw on a lucrative new contract.
Shaw is one of many WSL players who can be counted among the world’s best -Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa are among those to thrive this season.
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Others among Europe’s elite, including Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Ona Batlle, could also switch to England this summer.
“I think the WSL can replicate to some extent what we have seen with the Premier League,” said football finance expert Kieran Maguire, “in that it effectively becomes a super league in its own right.
“There is sufficient interest from broadcasters, fans and commercially. It means WSL clubs can outbid clubs from elsewhere in Europe in terms of transfer fees and that will drive players here as well.”
Domestically, the league is increasing to 14 teams in September, with guaranteed TV funding until 2030 ensuring finances remain in rude health.
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Both Chelsea and Brighton have committed to their women’s teams in recent months too, the former lining up all home matches for Stamford Bridge next season and the latter announcing plans for Europe’s first bespoke stadium.
A potential Putellas arrival only adds to the anticipation for next season’s biggest year yet.
The social media game is a tough one to compete in. Influencing is not as easy as it looks and being able to sell yourself as a brand is tough for most people to come by.
Pro wrestling figures like Richard Holliday and Ben Bishop have masterfully put together a marketing game that has made them two of the most recognizable performers on the independent scene. The two wrestlers boast thousands of followers across multiple social media platforms.
Pro wrestler Dono Hefner is looking to make a name for himself on the indies.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Dono Henfer is taking a page of out of their playbook.
Fans may not know the name just yet, but he’s working hard to use social media to his advantage. Inspired by Holliday, Bishop and Tommy Invincible, Hefner told Fox News Digital that social media is a key tool for everyone coming up on the indies.
“Richard Holliday – that’s one guy I look up to right now on the independent scene. I feel like he’s very smart. He’s putting himself out there and his brand,” he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “A lot of people don’t use social media to their advantage. I feel like if that’s one tool you need in the pro wrestling world, I feel like a lot of people like that.
“Not a lot of people use social media up to their advantage like him, Ben Bishop, Tommy Invincible, all those guys. They’re all smart. And that’s kinda what I’m doing now. I post every day.”
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Most importantly, Hefner stressed, you never know who could be watching on the other end.
“No matter what it is, I always brainstorm new ideas. I always come up with a new way on how to put myself out there, how to expose my brand because you never know who’s watching,” he said. “Whether it’s 100 views, 500, 1,000, you just never know who’s behind that screen watching. People have their opinions on what you post, have their opinions on what you do, it doesn’t matter. It can be somebody in the WWE watching your stuff and you don’t know that because Instagram doesn’t tell you who’s watching your stuff.”
Pro wrestler Dono Hefner comes through the curtain.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Hefner said he got into pro wrestling watching it as a child and wanting to go in a different route after high school.
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He told Fox News Digital that he took a chance on getting in the ring.
“Of course, I always loved wrestling since a little kid and as time went on, when I got older and got into high school, I was like, ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ No type of degree, no type of job – none of that interested me,” he said. “Wrestling has been with me ever since I was like 5 or 6 years old. So, I was like, you know what, let me be that different type of bubble.
“Not everyone can say they’re a wrestler. People are doctors and nurses and all that. So I said you know, let’s give this a shot. You only live once.”
Right now, as he looks to get booked as much as possible, Hefner said he’s going to continue to ride the pro wrestling wave for as long as it can go.
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“It’s good to have an end goal, right? But I think of where, as time progresses, where it’ll take me. I’m here for the ride, whether it’s 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, people have their own stories, people carve their own paths,” he said. “Wherever I end up, wherever I am, that’s where I’ll be. I don’t really set a goal for myself.”
Dono Hefner performs a moonsault.(Provided to Fox News Digital)
Karen Hills has been named the 2025/26 Barclays WSL2 Manager of the Year after guiding Charlton Athletic Women to promotion.
Hills received the award at the LMA Awards following an outstanding season that saw Charlton secure a place in next season’s Women’s Super League.
Under her leadership, Charlton continued their impressive rise and finally reached the top division of women’s football in England after years of steady progress.
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The club also built a remarkable 27-match unbeaten league run across the last two seasons, helped by one of the strongest defenses in the division.
Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse even finished the campaign with the Golden Glove award.
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Hills has now successfully led Charlton back to the WSL and established the club as one of the biggest success stories in women’s football this season.
Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach are available to play for Montreal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final.
The forwards skipped Wednesday’s morning skate for undisclosed reasons, but head coach Martin St. Louis said both are in the mix with the Canadiens trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Newhook scored series-clinching goals in Game 7 of the first two rounds against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, with the latter coming in overtime.
The 25-year-old from St. John’s, N.L., has put up seven goals and three assists in 17 playoff games this spring, skating the majority of the time alongside Jake Evans and Ivan Demidov. Dach, also 25, has four goals and an assist in 17 contests on the fourth line.
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The Hurricanes have picked up consecutive 3-2 OT decisions after the Canadiens’ opened with a 6-2 victory.
The series shifts to Raleigh, N.C., for Game 5 on Saturday. Game 6, if necessary, would be back at the Bell Centre on Sunday.
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